Educational Institutions.
THE FREE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
This ancient and valuable institution was founded and endowed in the reign of Henry IV., between 1399 and 1413, by Mr. David Holbetche, “a lawyer, steward of the towne and lordship,” and who in the same reign was “made a denizen or free citizen of England.” The munificent founder granted, for the maintenance of a schoolmaster, and the reparation of the school-house, certain lands in Sweeney, Treflach, Maesbury, and Crickheath, in addition to a house on the south-west side of the Parish Church. By an inquisition under a Commission of charitable uses, taken at Oswestry, 17th September, 1634, it was found that “how the said lands were granted, or to whom, or by whom, they were to be let, was not known, but that the bailiffs of the town of Oswestry had, for the most part, jointly let the same:” and it was further found, “that upon the granting of certain leases therein-mentioned, certain sums had been paid to the bailiffs, or to their use, as a gratuity for making such leases; and that they had cut timber upon the said estates which they had disposed of for their own use.” In April, 1635, the Commissioners made a decree, stating “that they had not found that the bailiffs of Oswestry were trusted by the founder in ordering and disposing of the said school and school-lands, but that they had done the same without any just authority; and that if they had been trusted therein, they had manifestly abused the trust, in making leases at an under-value, and for secret rewards for themselves, and in committing great waste upon the timber-trees growing upon the said premises; the said Commissioners decreed, that the bailiffs of the said town should be for ever discharged and excluded from any trust, or intermeddling with the said school and school-lands, or from anything which should concern the same, otherwise than was thereafter limited; that the nomination and placing of the schoolmaster should be left to the bishop of the diocese according to the law; that the schoolmaster for the time being should let the premises in possession, and not in reversion, for the term of seven years, at the yearly rents mentioned in a particular of the lands referred to in the inquisition, or more, and so as the consent of the bishop and chancellor of the said diocese, and of the bailiffs of the said town, or any two of them, whereof the bishop should be one, should be first had in writing, for the making of such leases; that neither the master nor any of the tenants should cut or lop any timber-trees growing upon the premises without the like consent; that the then schoolmaster should, within one year, make a true terrier of all the school-lands and tenements, whereof one part should be delivered to the bishop, to be kept in his registrar’s office, and the other to be delivered to the bailiffs, to be entered in the town-book. And the said Commissioners further ordered, that the schoolmaster should always have an usher, and allow him £10 a-year, and so much more out of the improved rents, as the said bishop for the time being should think fit; so that the whole stipend of the usher should not exceed £15; and that the schoolmaster for the time being, should keep the school-house in repair.”
A terrier of the school-lands was accordingly taken, and the report was as follows:—Crickheath, 24a. 1r. 37p.; Treflach, 20a. 1r. 5p.; Sweeney, 74a. 0r. 10p.; Maesbury, 12a. 0r. 29p. The lands in Treflach mentioned in the terrier had been held for many years at the ancient rents, without any variation; and the Rev. James Donne, D.D. (the former master), brought actions of ejectment against the late Lazarus Venables, Esq., and Mrs. Hilditch, who held the lands, and insisted upon their right to hold them, paying the accustomed rents. Upon the trial of these actions verdicts were given in favour of Dr. Donne, and the lands being very much dispersed and intermixed with those belonging to the defendants, the judge recommended that lands equal in value, and lying together, should be given up to the plaintiff, instead of the identical lands which were the subject of the suits. This recommendation was cordially adopted by all parties concerned, and further litigation was therefore avoided.
Dr. Donne, through whose exertions these valuable properties were recovered for Oswestry School, may justly be looked upon as its second Founder. He raised the character of the School from comparative obscurity to being second to none of the Grammar Schools of England. His memory is held in affectionate remembrance by his pupils, who, to testify their feelings, raised a handsome Memorial in Oswestry Parish Church. The inscription on this Monument speaks deservedly of a revered Master, and does credit to the elegant scholarship and affectionate feelings of the distinguished Pupil who composed it.
Further advantageous exchanges of land have taken place during the time of the present Master, which have resulted in attaching some of the most valuable land in the Liberties of Oswestry and Township of Weston to Oswestry School.
The Rents of the property accruing to the benefit of the School, including a payment of £1 12s. 0d. from the receiver of the Crown Rents, in respect of a sum of £2 charged on the land revenues, amount to £271 10s. 2d. Some land around the School-House is not included in this statement, so that the Endowment of the School may be considered to amount to £300 per annum.
In 1776 the late Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart., gave a piece of land, called Cae Groes, comprising nearly eight acres, upon which the present School-House was erected, charged with a rent of £12 per annum, to the heirs of Sir W. W. Wynn; and the sum of £779 4s. 8d. was subsequently subscribed towards completing the structure, the balance of expenses having been borne by Dr. Donne.
The School is open to all boys born in the parish of Oswestry, for instruction in English, Latin, and Greek; but it is expected that they should be able to read before they are admitted. For the before-mentioned studies no payment is demanded from the boys on the Foundation, except 12s. 6d. for entrance, and 2s. a-year for fire-money. The present Master is the Rev. Stephen Donne, A.M., who has filled the office since his appointment in 1833 with singular merit and success, and who has had the good fortune, during his connexion with the School, to acquire the esteem and confidence of his pupils, and the warm approval and regard of their parents and guardians.
The course of instruction in the School is Classical and Mathematical, embracing strict attention to Religious knowledge, with History and Geography, both Ancient and Modern; and whilst pupils are prepared for the Universities, and Addiscombe, Woolwich, and Sandhurst, boys who have in view the Profession of the Law or a Commercial life, in addition to their other studies, are carefully trained in Writing, Arithmetic, and Book-keeping. The Head Master receives Boarders into his House, who are treated in a liberal and gentlemanly spirit. Several Pupils from this School have, during the time of the late and present Master, highly distinguished themselves at Cambridge, Oxford, Dublin, Addiscombe, and Woolwich.
The late Rev. James Donne, D.D., retired from the School in 1833, and died at Llanyblodwel Vicarage (which he had re-built), January 23rd, 1844.
The early Masters of the School we are unable to discover. Our list of appointments commences with the year 1537:—
LIST OF HEAD MASTERS,
— Reynolds, | appointed 1537 |
David Morris, Vicar of Llansilin | 1561 |
John Berkley, D.D. | 1606 |
Rector of Llanddoget1606. He became Vicar of Llansannan 1611, Rector of Newtown1613, Rector of Llanfyllin 1614, Prebendary of Llanvair SecondComportion 1621, and Rector of Llandyssil 1622. | |
John Kyffin | — |
— Lloyd | 1624 |
Edward Payne, A.M. | 1636 |
Rector of Cemmaes 1661,Vicar of Kinnerley 1668. This gentleman was ejected in thetime of Oliver Cromwell’s Usurpation. | |
William Griffiths | 1661 |
Thomas Clopton | 1672 |
Rector of Cilken, 1673,Canon 1675, Rector of Llanrwst 1677, Prebendary of Myfod andRector of Castle-Careinion 1678, and Rector of Christleton,Cheshire. | |
John Evans | 1678 |
Rector of Newtown 1666,Canon 1681, and Rector of Berriew 1686. | |
Edward Wicken | — |
Andrew Guild | 1694 |
Thomas Jones | 1697 |
Daniel Poole | 1705 |
— Lloyd | — |
Robert Patrick | — |
Rector of Cemmaes 1717,Canon 1718, and Rector of Mallwyd 1733. | |
John Skye | 1733 |
Rector of Berriew 1730,Vicar of Llansilin 1755. | |
Peter Morris | 1763 |
about 1769 | |
Charles Anson Tisdale | 1772 |
Eusebius Edwards, Pembroke College, Oxford | 1781 |
James Donne, M.A. | 1796 |
Second Master of theKing’s School, Chester, 1794, Minor Canon of Chester 1796,Vicar of Llanyblodwel 1798, and Rural Dean of Marchia 1803. | |
Stephen Donne, M.A., Scholar of St. John’s College,Cambridge, January | 1833 |
NATIONAL SCHOOLS.
In the work of benevolence the borough of Oswestry has never acted with a niggardly hand. When the necessity of national education first engaged the sympathies of the community at large, Oswestry took a distinguished part in the good work, and liberally provided education for the children of the poor, who, until that period, had had none to help them. So early as the commencement of the last century a Charity School was established for the benefit of forty children, of whom twenty were clothed, and all taught by a mistress to read and spell. When the boys were made perfect in the reading of certain elementary books, they were transferred to a master; and the girls were fully instructed, besides reading and spelling, in spinning, knitting, and sewing. It is stated on one of the tables of benefactions in the Parish Church, that in 1713 Mr. Thomas Owen, Vicar of Oswestry, left the interest of £20 for the use of this Charity School; and that in 1716 the Rev. Daniel Poole, chief Schoolmaster of the town, left the interest of £20 for the like use. In a minute of vestry, dated July 5th, 1737, it is stated that £32 was laid out on the Poor-house in Church-Street, which sum, it is added, was paid out of the legacies of the Rev. T. Owen and the Rev. D. Poole. In December, in the same year, it was ordered at a vestry, that in lieu of the money laid out as mentioned in the preceding minute, forty shillings should be paid yearly toward maintaining the Charity School in the town of Oswestry. It does not appear what school was intended, or how long the payment was continued.
The friends of education in Oswestry, still anxious for the well-being of the rising generation, united together in the year 1810 to carry out their benevolent intentions. In July of that year it was agreed, that the Guildhall should be appropriated for the reception of boys, and the school-room situated in the church-yard for the reception of girls, until rooms at the Bailey-Head should be properly fitted up for their instruction. A public notice was afterwards issued, announcing “That the Public Charity School, belonging to the town and parish of Oswestry, is now open for the instruction of boys of the age of five years and upwards.” In November following, the boys’ school was removed to the chapel of the House of Industry, the School Committee considering that such change would afford an opportunity to the children of parents residing in the country to attend the school. This plan partly failed, and soon afterwards convenient school-rooms, for boys and girls, were fitted up at the Bailey-Head, from plans by Mr. T. Jones, Architect. These schools were supported by general subscription and occasional aid from the National Society. At length it was deemed necessary to provide more spacious and convenient school-rooms, for the furtherance of the great object of education, and arrangements were made for accomplishing so important a design. A public subscription was entered into, and this was aided by grants of £338 from the Committee of Council on Education; £200 from the National Society; and a contribution of £700 from the funds of the Oswestry Church Sunday School. The present beautiful building was accordingly erected under the Welsh Walls, sufficient accommodation being rendered for an Infant School. The structure was designed by Mr. Penson, and raised by Mr. J. Vaughan, Builder. As a tribute of respect to the memory of the late Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart., the building was commenced on the 22nd of May, 1841, when his son, the present worthy possessor of Wynnstay, attained his majority. The sole control of the School is vested by the trust-deed in the Vicar of the parish for the time being. The number of children at present educated in the Schools is—Boys, 78; Girls, 64; Infants, 57.—Master, Mr. S. S. Lees; Mistresses, Miss Whitfield and Miss Pierce.
THE PARISH CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL
Was established in 1831. A zealous interest is taken in its prosperity by the Clergy and many persons of wealth and influence in the town and neighbourhood. The average attendance at present is 280 Scholars; Teachers from 30 to 35.
THE BRITISH SCHOOLS
Were erected in 1841, at a cost, including the site, of about £800; the builder being Mr. James Vaughan.
They are held in trust for “the education of children and adults, or children only, of both sexes, of the labouring, manufacturing, and other classes, in the town and parish of Oswestry, and in the several parishes adjoining;” such education to be conducted on the principles of the British and Foreign School Society. The trust includes permission to use the premises on week days, prior to and after school hours (i.e. before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m.), for “such moral, literary, scientific, or other purposes,” as shall be allowed in manner therein mentioned. The funds for the erection of the Schools having been subscribed chiefly by members of the congregation assembling at the Old Chapel, there is a trust assigning the use of the building on the sabbath to the Sabbath Schools connected with that place of worship.
The system of education on week days being conducted on the principles of the British and Foreign School Society, it need hardly be said that no denominational catechism or dogma is permitted to be taught; but the Holy Scriptures are in daily use.
The utility of the institution having become much crippled by a debt remaining on the building and an accumulation of current expenses, a special effort was made in the year 1854 to throw off the incubus. The generous efforts and contributions of friends in the town and neighbourhood, and others in various parts of the kingdom, aided by a Bazaar, not only effected the “consummation” so “devoutly to be wished,” but also realized a fund applicable to the substantial repair of the building, and a needed supply of school materials.
The present Master and Mistress are—Mr. Farmer and Miss Jones.
THE YOUNG MEN’S INSTITUTE
Began its course about the year 1838. It was originated by the then minister of the Old Chapel (the Rev. W. Reeve), and a few members of his congregation, chiefly young men, who felt the importance of adopting some means calculated to promote the moral and intellectual advancement of the young men of the town, and which should offer to them a refuge and enticement, during the evening hours, from listlessness on the one hand, and from low and debasing pleasures on the other.
The meetings were for some time held in the vestry of the Old Chapel. When the British School-rooms were erected in the year 1841 the opportunity was taken of endeavouring to extend the benefits of the Institute, by transferring its meetings to the lower school-room. Still it was felt by its friends, that it was not so used or supported as they desired; but, necessity having no choice, no attempt was made for several years to change its location or enlarge its scope.
At the School-room the Institute prospered for a considerable time, and did much good; but afterwards, from one cause or another, it drooped, and well nigh sank. Deeming it, however, too good a thing to die, and thinking it possible that many influential parties might have withheld their sympathy and aid, from an idea (erroneous though it was) that the Institution, from its antecedents and place of meeting, was not entirely unsectarian and liberal, its friends made a successful effort in the year 1850 to resuscitate it. The clergy and dissenting ministers of the town, together with several influential lay gentlemen, formed a committee, obtained the use of the Guild-Hall for the meetings, and raised very extended subscriptions. Many excellent lectures, professional and amateur, were delivered, and new life seemed for a time to flow in the veins of the Institute. The Guild-Hall being found inconvenient for the Library and Reading-room, these were removed to rooms over the Shop of Mr. Richard Jones, Hatter, at the Cross.
Subsequently, however, the falling-off of the subscriptions, and, it must be added, the backwardness of the young men generally to avail themselves of the privileges offered them, obliged the committee to relinquish these premises, and for more than a year past there seem to have been no meetings.
It is said that “all that’s fair must fade.” May we hope that the Young Men’s Institute is only slumbering, and will not die, or, that dying, it will rise again to a stronger, happier, better life.