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.