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 Llanddoget 1606. He became Vicar of Llansannan 1611,
Rector of Newtown 1613, Rector of Llanfyllin 1614, Prebendary of
Llanvair Second Comportion 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 the time of Oliver Cromwell’s Usurpation.
William Griffiths 1661
Thomas Clopton 1672
Rector of Cilken, 1673, Canon 1675, Rector of Llanrwst 1677,
Prebendary of Myfod and Rector 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
Owen Reynolds about 1769
Charles Anson Tisdale 1772
Eusebius Edwards, Pembroke College, Oxford 1781
James Donne, M.A. 1796
Second Master of the King’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 1833
College, Cambridge, January
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.
[Picture: National Schools]
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.
Benevolent Institutions.
DISPENSARY AND BATHS.
The establishment of these two institutions is honourable to the
founders, and, we are glad to observe, of great benefit to the poor and
needy afflicted with disease. The origin of both is part of the annals
of the town, and claims especial record in our volume. We find that in
the year 1828 a meeting of the leading gentlemen of Oswestry was held,
for the purpose of endeavouring to establish a Dispensary. That assembly
was presided over by William Ormsby Gore, Esq., and the benevolent
institution was at once founded under most liberal auspices. Donations
amounting to one hundred and sixty guineas were subscribed at the
meeting, and a Committee was appointed, to carry out the objects of the
Charity. At the same time a liberal amount in annual subscriptions was
determined upon, that the new institution should be rendered permanent.
The following parties formed the first Committee, &c.
_President_:
WM. ORMSBY GORE, ESQ.
_Committee of Management_:
THE HON. THOS. KENYON, ROBT. MORRALL, ESQ.,
T. BULKELEY OWEN, ESQ., T. L. LONGUEVILLE, ESQ.,
J. V. LOVETT, ESQ., T. N. PARKER, ESQ.,
H. P. T. AUBREY, ESQ., REV. THOS. HUNT,
REV. THOS. SALWEY, REV. C. A. A. LLOYD,
REV. G. N. K. LLOYD, MR. LUCAS.
_Honorary Treasurer_:—C. T. JONES, ESQ.
_Visiting Physician_;—DR. EVANS.
_Surgeons_:
MR. MORRIS, MR. E. D. BENNION,
MR. COCKERELL, MR. CARTWRIGHT.
_Dispenser and Secretary_:—MR. J. M. HALES.
The original Dispensary rented for the Charity was situated in Lower
Brook-Street; but the premises being found too limited and inconvenient
for the benevolent objects contemplated, a new building was suggested,
and accordingly, in March, 1852, the Committee adopted a resolution to
the effect, that it was desirable to erect a Dispensary, with Baths
attached to it, for the accommodation of the public, as well as for the
use of the patients of the institution. To carry out this excellent
design a handsome subscription was entered into, amounting to between
seven and eight hundred pounds; to which was added, from the accumulated
fund of the Dispensary, the sum of five hundred pounds. The present
Dispensary and Baths were immediately erected from a design by R. Kyrke
Penson, Esq., on ground near the site of the former Dispensary. The
building is roomy and convenient, containing handsome and suitable rooms
for the Dispensary, with the addition of Warm and Cold Baths, Shower
Baths, a Vapour Bath, and Plunge Baths.
[Picture: Dispensary and Baths]
The number of patients who have partaken, within the last three years, of
the benefits which the Dispensary affords, shows the necessity and value
of the institution. From May, 1851, to May, 1852—Patients, 455. In
1853—Patients, 496. In 1854—Patients, 555.
The Dispensary, with the Baths, was opened May 1st, 1854. Mr. Ormsby
Gore still holds the office of President of the institution, and Mr.
Hales continues to officiate as Secretary and Dispenser. The Committee
and officers are:—
_Committee of Management_:
E. WRIGHT, ESQ., REV. S. DONNE,
REV. G. CAREW, REV. J. LUXMOORE,
R. K. PENSON, ESQ., J. V. LOVETT, ESQ.,
THOS. MINSHALL, ESQ., ROWLAND J. VENABLES, ESQ.,
THOS. LOVETT, ESQ., E. WILLIAMS, ESQ.,
T. L. LONGUEVILLE, ESQ., JOHN CROXON, ESQ.,
_Treasurer_:—J. T. JONES, ESQ.
_Surgeons_:
MR. CARTWRIGHT, MR. BLAIKIE,
DR. FULLER, DR. WILLIAMS.
The Trustees to whom the site for the new Dispensary and Baths was
conveyed are, William Ormsby Gore, Esq., Thomas Lovett, Esq., Edmund
Wright, Esq., and Thomas Longueville Longueville, Esq.
The proposition for building the Dispensary with the addition of Baths
originated with Edward Williams, Esq., of Lloran House; and his efficient
and zealous efforts were used in promoting the benevolent design, which
was most successfully accomplished in the end. In the prosperity of so
valuable an institution all classes in the town and populous
neighbourhood, who are blessed with this world’s goods, should consider
it a Christian privilege to take a lively interest, by contributing to
its funds, and thus extending its usefulness among the labouring poor who
have few to help them.
THE HOUSE OF INDUSTRY,
Situated on elevated ground near the river Morda, on the road from
Oswestry to Welshpool, was erected by virtue of an Act of Parliament
obtained in the year 1790, and opened for the reception of inmates April
28th, 1791. The first steward and matron were Mr. Thos. Cooper and Mrs.
Cooper, who held those responsible situations for the long period of
nearly thirty years. Directors were appointed, under the Act, to manage
the affairs of the institution, on behalf of Oswestry town and parish,
and the other parishes also thereby incorporated: namely, Saint Martins,
Selattyn, Whittington, West Felton, Ruyton, Kinnerley, Knockin, and
Llanyblodwel, in the hundred of Oswestry, and county of Salop; that part
of the parish of Llanymynech which lies in the hundred of Oswestry; the
parish of Chirk, in the county of Denbigh; and the parish of Llansilin,
in the counties of Salop and Denbigh. The Directors held their first
meeting on Monday, August 11th, 1791: Chairman, John Lovett, Esq., Mayor
of Oswestry. The building, of red brick, which still looks fresh and
fair, cost £12,000. It has ever excited the attention of strangers, on
account of its imposing stateliness of architecture, the exterior
presenting, at the first view, the appearance of a fine old English
baronial residence. Nicholson, in describing it thirty years ago, says,
“it is a ridiculously-splendid brick building, intended, not for a
purpose which its exterior seems to prompt, but for the abode of the
indigent and wretched.”
In 1851 a slight sensation was created in the united parishes of Oswestry
by a proposal from Mr. Doyle, Poor-Law Inspector, to admit six additional
parishes into union with the Oswestry Incorporation. The Poor-Law Board
had some time before claimed a general authority over the Incorporation,
to which the Directors, after a slight resistance, submitted. Public
meetings of the rate-payers of the incorporated parishes were held, to
consider Mr. Doyle’s proposal, and one also was convened in the Old
Church, Oswestry, on Saturday, July 21st: Peploe Cartwright, Esq., in the
chair. Mr. Doyle stated that certain alterations in the House of
Industry would have to be made; and in order to effect these improvements
at as small a cost as possible to the incorporated parishes, he suggested
that six other parishes should be united to the present, the expense
being thus spread over a larger number of rate-payers. The proposal was
not favourably entertained, as such a measure would have involved the
immediate dissolution of the Oswestry Incorporation. A resolution was
adopted at the meeting, “That in the absence of proper information and
details, we are at present of opinion that it is not desirable to
dissolve the Oswestry Incorporation.” From that time to the present the
Poor-Law Board exercise only a general authority over the Incorporation,
whose powers, as defined by the Act of Parliament, with the exception
just named, remain intact.
In 1853 various alterations, suggested by the Poor-Law Board, were made
in the House, at an expense of £1500. The average number of inmates in
the Institution is 174. The number which the House can receive is
limited by the Poor-Law Board to 300. The election of Directors is
independent of the Board; they are nominated by the vestries of the
several parishes, and appointed by the Board of Directors.
The present officers of the Institution are as follows:—The Rev. J.
Maude, Chairman; the Rev. E. W. O. Bridgman, Vice-Chairman; Mr. John
Hughes, Clerk to the Directors; and Mr. R. Richards, Master. Relieving
Officers:—For the _Upper Division_, comprising Oswestry Town and Parish,
Llanyblodwel, townships of Llwyntidman and Treprenal, Llansilin, and
Selattyn, Mr. Thomas Davies. For the _Lower Division_, consisting of
Chirk, Saint Martins, Whittington, Ruyton, West Felton, Knockin, and
Kinnerley, Mr. Joseph Rogers.
CHARITABLE DONATIONS TO THE POOR.