shall think objects of charity, may be taught to read, knit, spin, and plain needlework, or sewing. I do therefore hereby earnestly request, will, and direct, my nephew and executor, after my decease, by deed, conveyance (&c.), to convey, and assure, to the said Governors, and their successors, for ever, all the lands situate in Croft, and all those messuages, cottages, or tenements, within the yards and pingle adjoining, situate in Far Street (now called West Street), Horncastle; and also that part of now inclosed arable, meadow, and pasture ground, lying in Wigtoft, containing 6 acres, 28 perches, now in the occupation of my cousin, William Watson, with appurtenances, upon the Trusts following, viz.: (1) to keep the house (school) in good repair, and the residence (2) for the maintenance of a proper master or mistress, to be from time to time nominated by them, to teach such poor children, &c."
It is then added that "the said Richard Watson dying on Sept. 30 (1784), the said Frances and James Conington, desirous to fulfil his bequest, agree to convey to the use of the said Governors, the said messuages, &c." An Indenture is added, witnessing "that on payment by Benjamin Handley of ten shillings to Frances and James Conington, they have granted, sold, and released" the aforesaid property, and "appointed by these presents from the day next before the date of the Indenture, all the said messuages, &c., called by the name of the 'ffoal thing,"[1] and that plot commonly called 'Backside,' the closes in Croft abutting on the highway, and lands near the old sea bank; and land called the 'bridge plot' in Wigtoft (6 acres), assigned to Richard Watson, by the award of the Commissioners appointed by Parliament, in the 12th year of His Majesty, for enclosing common and open fields (No. 40 in award map), with houses, barns, curtilages, and woods, to be held by the Governors of the Grammar School, the reversions, rents, &c., to the use of John Thorold (and the Governors),[2] on trust, that the said Governors collect the rents, &c., and apply them as shall be required, from time to time, for poor children; and shall have power to erect a new school house, or alter, enlarge, &c., and to mortgage, &c., in order to provide suitable (premises), spinning wheels, &c., and to make rules for management, as shall to their judgment seem needed, agreeing with the said Benjamin Handley, and his heirs, &c., subject in all things to the Court of Chancery at Westminster."
The present status of the school is as follows: The original premises are still in use, standing in a retired position, in "Watson's Yard," about 50 yards from West Street; they consist of school buildings, play yard, and teacher's residence. In 1835 the school was enlarged and repaired. In 1895 it was further improved by the removal of bedrooms above, when it was opened up to the roof; at the same time a commodious classroom was added at the east end. Accommodation was thus provided for 120 children. The increase in scholars necessitated an increase in the teaching staff, and the Head Teacher, Mrs. Robert Marshall, who was appointed in 1885, has, since these alterations, been assisted by an Under Mistress and two Monitors.
The scholars are of both sexes, and between the ages of three years and seven. The school is conducted on Church of England principles, and
- ↑ This particular plot of ground, sometimes called "fool thing," is named in various other ancient documents connected with Horncastle.
- ↑ The Governors at this date were John Thorold, M.D., Horncastle; Rev. Arthur Rockliffe, Roughton; Rev. William Boawre Coningsby; Robert Cole, Horncastle, gent; Benjamin Stephenson, Mareham-le-Fen, gent; Richard Heald, Horncastle, gent; Rev. John Wheeler, Mareham-le-Fen; Simon Draper and William Hirst Simpson, Horncastle; Francis Conington, Residuary Devisee; and Joseph Mowbound, Horncastle, clerk.
