Witham schools after 1815

Schools after 1815
(up to about the late 19^th century)
Miscellaneous information.

Sources (ERO is Essex Record Office)
Pigot’s directory 1823-4, 1826-7, 1839.
Tithe map and Award (ERO D/CT 405 and 405A), 1839.
Religious census of Witham parish (ERO D/P 30/28/5), 1840.
Census returns, 1841 and 1851 only.
White’s directories 1848, 1863.
Records of the manors of Witham (Chipping) and Newland (these have a reference starting with ERO D/DBw M).

The table at the beginning concern private schools. It is in alphabetical order of the proprietors’ surnames.

At the end, after the table, is a section dealing with other schools, i.e. public and charity schools.

Name of proprietor	First year the school was found	Miscellaneous information
Blackie, Thomas Morrell	1863	Various papers relating to him and the school are in ERO T/P 133 and accession A10510, compiled by his daughter Mrs Agnes Peecock. The school was at what is now Barnardiston House (35 Chipping Hill). 1863: Thomas Morrell Blackie boarding school at Chipping Hill (White’s directory, under Academies and Schools). 1868: TMB of Chipping Hill voted Whig (Poll book). 1870: TMB had ‘young gentleman’s boarding school’ at Chipping Hill (Kelly’s directory).
Browne, C	19th cent.	n.d.: Handbill for C.Browne’s academy for young gentleman (T/P 170/3).
Cunnington, Mrs Maria and Misses Maria and Letitia	1848	1848: Maria C had boarding school in Newland Street (White’s directory, under ‘Academies’). 1851 census: Maria Cunnington (widow, aged 55), Maria (unmarried, aged 35), and Letitia (unmarried, aged 33), all schoolmistresses. There were nine girls aged 4-16 and four boys aged 5-7 living at the school (probably on site now 35 Newland Street) (census returns, HO 107/1783, ff.188-189, pp.35-36). 1859: Miss C occupied house on site now 59 Newland Street, for sale (Sale catalogue B5221). 1860: Miss C occupied house in Newland Street (on site now 59 Newland Street) (privately held deeds). 1863: Mrs and Misses C had a boarding school in Newland Street (White’s directory, under ‘Academies and Schools’). 1867: Miss C occupied house in Newland Street (probably on site now 59 Newland Street) (D/DBw M61). 1873: Building materials from house late occupied by Miss Cunnington are for sale (D/DU 56/5 p.203).
Ford, Misses	1880s?	1880s: Medina Villas built on site of Medina House which was a school kept by Misses Ford (Accession 10510, p.48).
Garrett, Elizabeth	1848	1848: Elizabeth Garrett (Infant School), Newland Street (White’s directory, under ‘Academies’).
Grant, Miss	1823-24	1823-4 and 1826-7: Miss Grant (ladies boarding) (Pigot’s directory, under ‘Academies’).
Harridge, Miss	1826-27	1826-27: Miss Harridge (ladies, day) (Pigot’s directory, under ‘Academies’).
Hitchcock, Mary Ann	1863	1863: Mary Ann Hitchcock (boarding), Newland Street (White’s directory, under ‘Academies and Schools’). 1865-67: Sales of residence, building materials and furniture from residence occupied by Miss Hitchcock who is leaving (D/DU 56/4, 56/5).
Houghton, Mary Ann and Harriet	1838	1839: Mary Ann Houghton occupied property now 87 Newland Street (D/CT 405A and B (tithe award and map)). 1839: Mary Ann and Harriet Houghton, boarding and day school (Pigot’s directory). 1838, 1843, 1845, 1847: Miss Houghton occupied property probably  now 87 Newland Street (D/DBw M41, M54, M55, M56, M80). 1840: Miss Houghton lived south side of Newland Street. Seven in house, all to Anglican church (ERO D/P 30/28/5, religious survey of Witham, 1840). 1841 census: Mary Houghton, schoolmistress (aged 30) with George Houghton, independent (aged 57). There were six girls living at the school aged 5 to 10 (probably now 87 Newland Street) (census returns, HO 107/343/16, f.12, p.19). 1848: Mary Ann Houghton, Newland Street, under ‘Academies, boarding’ (White’s directory). 1851 census: Mary A. Houghton, unmarried (aged 44), schoolmistress, with her father George, widower, retired tradesman, living in Newland Street, but no pupils living there (probably now 125-127 Newland Street) (census returns, HO 107/1783, f.174, p.7).
Howard, Miss Mary	1839	1839: Mary Howard occupied house now 124 Newland Street (D/CT 405A and B (tithe award and map)) (same premises as William Mann later). 1839: Miss Howard had school (Pigot’s directory). 1840: Miss H resident in North Yard (?); Newland Street; 28 in house, 25 to Anglican church, 3 to Independent meeting.(ERO D/P 30/28/5, religious survey of Witham, 1840). 1841 census: Mary Howard, schoolmistress (aged 44) had 23 girls living at the school aged 8-16 (probably now 124 Newland Street) (census returns, HO 107/343/17, f.19, pp.8 and 9).
Jackson, Moses	1848	1848: Moses Jackson, Newland Street, under Academies (not boarding). 1851 census: Moses Jackson, aged 29, unmarried, teacher (born in Scotland), had 13 boys aged 8-13 living at the school (in Chipping Hill) (census returns, HO 107/1783, f.243, p.7). 1852-55: Previous occupant of premises probably now 85 Newland Street (D/DBw M41; D/DU 457/5; privately held deeds).
Johnson, Misses	1839	1833: The Misses Johnson occupied property probably now 118-20 and/or 124 Newland Street (D/DBw M40). 1839: Rebecca Johnson occupied premises now 118-120 & 124 Newland Street (D/CT 405A and B (tithe award and map)). 1839: Miss Johnson had day school (Pigot’s directory). 1840: Miss J. lived in North Yard(?), Newland Street; 2 in house, both to Anglican church. (ERO D/P 30/28/5, religious survey of Witham, 1840). 1864: The Misses Johnson had previously occupied property probably now 118-20 and/or 124 Newland Street (D/DBw M41).
Mann, William	1839	1839: William Mann occupied property now ‘The Grange’, 4 Chipping Hill (D/CT 405A and B (tithe award and map)). 1841 census: William Mann, schoolmaster (aged 30) had 14 boys aged 10-13 at the school (probably now ‘The Grange’, 4 Chipping Hill) (census returns, HO 107/343/16, ff.53 and 54, pp.9 and 10). 1848: ‘William Mann, Witham School’, Newland Street (White’s directory, under Academies, boarding). 1851 census: William Mann, schoolmaster, married, aged, had 17 boys aged 9 to 15 living at the school (plus his two sons) (census returns, HO 107/1783, f.207, pp.22-23) 1858: WM proprietor of Witham Academy, being auctioned, adjoining pasture with frontage on Mill Lane (D/DU 56/4). 1858: WM bought premises (probably the ones now 118-20 and/or 124 Newland Street, possibly the ones he already occupied). 1863: William Mann, Newland Street (White’s directory, under Academies and schools, boarding). 1868: WM new voter, voted Whig. 1880: WM had died 1879. Property to wife Martha for life, then to son Frederick John Thomas (D/DBw M42). 1895-1929: Martha had died 1895. Frederick Mann, schoolmaster, inherited. He had died 1902. Property to his wife Caroline. 1929: Caroline had died (D/DBw M42, M140, M141). 1930: Premises for sale by order of trustees of Frederick M. (118-124 Newland Street; 124 was the Old School House and 118-20 were occupied by others) (Sale Catalogue B364).
Nutt, —	Pre 1833	1833: ‘Schoolmaster Nutt’ previously occupied property now near 36 Newland Street, partly taken up by Collingwood Road.
Osterriter, Alfred Joseph	1934	1934: AJO of ‘Witham College, Witham, Head Schoolmaster’ purchased house called The Lawn (in Lawn Chase, since demolished) (privately held deeds). (After the Second World War Miss English had a school here for a time).
Spaull, Sarah	1839	1835: Mrs S. admitted to Independent meeting. 1839: Mrs S. had a boarding school (Pigot’s directory). 1839: Sarah Spaull occupied house now 99 Newland Street (D/CT 405A and 405B, tithe award and map). 1840: Widow Spaull lived on south side of Newland Street. Eleven in house, of whom two attend Anglican church and nine the Independent meeting. (ERO D/P 30/28/5, religious survey of Witham, 1840). 1840: occupied house for sale ‘in centre of High Street’ (possibly now 99 Newland Street). 1841 census: Sarah Spaull, schoolmistress (aged 30) had eight girls aged 7-15 living at the school (probably now 99 Newland Street) (census returns, HO 107/343/17, f.12, p.18).
Steele, Miss Isabella	1823-24	1823-24: Miss Steele ladies boarding school (Pigot’s directory, under ‘Academies’) 1826-27: Miss Steele ladies boarding school (Pigot’s directory, under ‘Academies’) 1839: Isabella Steele had boarding school (Pigot’s directory). 1839: Isabella Steele occupied house now High House, part of 5 Newland Street (D/CT 405A and 405B, tithe award and map)). 1840: Miss S resident south side of Newland Street. Twenty in the house, all to the Anglican church. Thinks a new (Anglican) chapel would be convenient for herself, but if her school want seats, they must be free).(ERO D/P 30/28/5, religious survey of Witham, 1840). 1841 census: Arabella [sic] Steele, schoolmistress (aged 50), had c.15 girls aged 4 to 16 living at the school (probably now High House, 5 Newland Street) (census returns, HO 107/343/17, ff.18-19, pp.31-32).

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Summary of public and charity schools after 1815

There are records of many of these schools in the Essex Record Office – especially Log Books and Managers’ minutes. Admission registers have not survived so well.

Maurice Smith’s booklet “Witham Schools” published in 1971, has more details.

For more about the Church School and the Maldon Road School, see https://www.janetgyford.com/articles/the-church-school-and-the-maldon-road-school/

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National / Church schools
1813  founded in new building at what is now 64 Avenue Road. Overcrowded by 1841.
c.1842  New schools in Guithavon Street.
1967 closed and transferred to Howbridge C of E School

National Infants
c.1850  Infants separated from main schools which are described above, and moved into Church Street (red brick building now number 22)
1902  Taken over by School Board and moved to new building further up Church Street (which has a plaque saying 1902). Shortly afterwards, Boards were abolished and the County Council took over.
1923-38  Building used for cookery and handicraft classes
1938  Re-opened as Infants’ school
c.2003  Moved to Owers Road as Primary school (Infants and Juniors)

British / Congregational / Maldon Road School
1837  Founded in a new building in Maldon road
c.1895  Taken over by School Board (1895 is inscribed on an extension).
1902/03  Boards abolished and the County Council took over.
1966  School closed, building used as Parkside Youth Centre.

Roman Catholic schools
1895-1918  A school was held in a building in the grounds of the RC Church at the corner of Newland Street and Avenue Road.
1989  That old school building was demolished
?when The Holy Family School (Primary) opened in a new building in Maltings Lane

Templars Junior School
1953  Opened in Cressing Road

Powershall Junior School
1969  Opened in Spa Road

Senior School / Bramston (secondary)
1937  Opened in new building in Spinks Lane
1971  Became Comprehensive
Later renamed Maltings Academy

Rickstones School (secondary)
c.1976 opened as Comprehensive

The Union workhouse and its successors at the Bridge Home in Hatfield Road
Most if not all of these institutions incorporated schools.
See: https://www.janetgyford.com/places/the-union-workhouse-later-the-bridge-home/