“On the vth daie of October one thousand six hundrete & three, in the first yere of our Souvraine Lord King James was holden in Horncastle Church a solemnn fast from eight in the morning until foure a clock in the afternoone by five preachers vidz. Mr Hollinhedge vicar of Horncastle, Mr Turner of Edlington, Mr Downes of Lusbye, Mr Phillipe of Salmonbye, Mr Tanzey of Hagworthingha’, occasioned by a general and most feareful plague yt yeare in sundrie places of this Land, but especially upon the Cytie of London.
Pr. me Clementem Whitelock.”
“Thomas Gibson Clerk Master of the Free Schoole of Newcastle uppon Tine one of the Chapleines of the Right Reverend Father in God Barnabas by Divine P’vidence Lo. Bpp. of Carliol, presented by the said Lo. Bpp. was inducted into the Vicarage of Horncastle, April the xiiij 1643.”
“The said Mr. Thomas Gibson being outed of Horncastle by Cromwell Commissiner removed to Nether Toynton, lived ther one yeare. After returne again taught some gentlemen sonnes in his owne house, was afterwards called to ye schoole at Newark where he continued one yeare, then was importuned to Sleeford whether he went the week after Easter 1650, continued there until May ye first 1661 then the King being restored he returned to his vicaridge and was by Doctor Robet Sandeson Bishop of Linkcoln made Preban of Sant Marie Crake Poule in the Church of Linkcoln,”
“Septr. 28, 1662.
“Memorandum the Day and yeere above written that the Booke of Common Prayer lately set forth by the Authority of the King’s Majestie and his court was read in the Parish Church of Horncastle by me Thomas Gibson Vicar there, and freely and willingly assented unto according to an act of Parliament in that case made and provided. In witness whereof the said Mr. Gibson with other of the inhabitants whose names are hereunto subscribed have sette their hands.
Tho: Gibson, Vicar.
John Harding, Parrish Clerk”
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
The Grammar School is situated at the south-east corner of the church yard, and is a spacious and well-constructed edifice of brick. It was founded and endowed by Edward Lord Clinton and Saye, the Lord High Admiral of England, under the authority of letters patent, dated the 25th of June, 1652. By these letters it was ordained, that this institution should be denominated “The Free Grammar School of Queen Elizabeth, in the Town or Soke of Horncastle, of the foundation of Edward Lord Clinton and Saye,” for the education, training, and instruction of boys and youths in grammar, and to be appropriated to this object for ever.
The school was to be conducted by a master, and a sub-master, or usher: ten governors were also appointed and incorporated, with perpetual succession, and a common seal. These governors were empowered on the death of any of their body, to elect others in their places; also to nominate the master and usher on any vacancy; and to make such statutes concerning the preservation and disposal of the revenues, as circumstances at any time might dictate. Besides holding the endowments, they were authorized to purchase and receive lands and other possessions, not exceeding £40. per annum.
The estates by which the establishment is maintained, consist of houses and land situated at Horncastle, Hemingby, Sutton, Huttoft, and Winthorpe. The lands in the last three named parishes being subject to inundations from the sea, the annual revenue is rendered precarious; but in the more favorable years it amounts to about £200.
The salaries for a long time were £40. per annum to the master, and £30. to the sub-master or usher: but on the appointment of the present master, in 1818, the salary was advanced to £80. per annum, to which was also added a house for his residence; the salary of the sub-master remaining as heretofore, at £30. The sum of £2. 2s. per annum is charged for those scholars who are instructed in writing and arithmetic. There are at this period about twenty boys on the foundation.
The governors of this School have also the management of another school in the town, for the instruction of poor children in reading, sewing, and knitting. A house, with a salary to the teacher of £17. per annum, charged upon certain estates in Horncastle, having been bequeathed to them in trust, for that purpose, by Mr. Richard Watson, a native of this place, who died in 1784.