A Big Round Hand

‘A BIG ROUND HAND’ Education in Fordham, Essex

The Manse, the Chapel and the Second Schoolroom.

PAT LEWIS Profits from the sale of this booklet will be donated to the Fordham Village Hall Appeal.

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A BIG ROUND HAND Education in Fordham, Essex (to 1900) “I copied all the letters in a big round hand.”

HMS Pinafore by W.S.Gilbert.

Sketch map of places mentioned in the text, (not to scale)

PAT LEWIS 3

Copyright Š1993 Pat Lewis World copyright reserved.

First edition published 1993 (ISBN 0 9521728 0 1) Second revised and enlarged edition 1999

All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, in whole or in part without prior permission of the author.

Typeset in Times New Roman, printed in 1999 by John Kay Published privately by the author from 48 Walton Road, Frinton on Sea, Essex CO13 0AG

ISBN 0 9521728 2 8 4

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS THE COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON ABBREVIATIONS ILLUSTRATIONS INTRODUCTION - The Situation CHILDREN IN EDUCATION TEACHERS IN FORDHAM ADULT EDUCATION DAY SCHOOLS Countess of Huntingdon’s Connexion(British School) Dames School National School Private Education - Governesses

4 4 5 5 7 8 9 10 12 13 16 16 20

SUNDAY SCHOOLS Anglican Countess of Huntingdon’s Connexion(Congregational Chapel) Baptists Primitive Methodists

20 20 21 21 21

CONCLUSION - The Legacy A Last Word from the Author

22 23

SOURCES

24

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Acknowledgements I would like especially to thank the trustees of the Countess of Huntingdon’s Connexion who allowed me to study their private collection of Fordham Chapel Records and also the facilities afforded by the Essex Record Office and the National Society (Church of England) for Promoting Religious Knowledge. I also thank, for their interest and encouragement, the descendants of the Arnold family of Fordham, Clayton Lewis and also John and Jenny Kay, without whose help this booklet would not have been produced.

THE COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON Selina, daughter of the Earl of Ferrers was born in 1707 and married the 9th Earl of Huntingdon in 1728. She listened, in 1738, to John Wesley and George Whitefield both of whom were ordained Anglican clergy. George Whitefield believed in and split from John Wesley over the Calvinist doctrine of predestination. The Countess became a Calvinist and after her husband died in 1746 she devoted herself, her wealth and her energy to the spread of the Evangelical Religion and in 1748 appointed George Whitefield as her chaplain. She was a member of the Established Church and never intended to secede from it.

In 1768 she established a college at Trevecca in Wales where, after training, students could seek ordination in the “Established Church or other churches of Christ.”

Many students were ordained with the influential help of the Countess. In London she appointed ordained clergyman to Spa Fields Chapel in Clerkenwell but the vicar of the parish objected and after two court cases the Countess in 1783, reluctantly registered as a Dissenter. Her chapels were known as “The Countess of Huntingdon’s Connexion.” When she died in 1791, thousands of people attended her chapels and mission stations and she had spent £100,000 of her own money to this end. After her death the Connexion gradually became mainly Congregational.

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ABBREVIATIONS CC

GREAT BRITAIN Charity Commission Reports Essex 1818 - 1837 - Fordham C of HC Countess of Huntingdon’s Connexion.

CHS Countess of Huntingdon’s School.

DPR Digest Of Parochial Returns Made To The Select Committee Appointed To Inquire Into The Education Of The Poor, 1818.

ERO Essex Record Office.

KD Kelly’s Directory of Essex.

NS National Society (Church of England) for Promoting Religious Education - School Correspondence File, Fordham National School.

V Visitation Replies to Queries.

VCH Victoria History of the Counties of England - Essex.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

C of HC Manse, Chapel & Second Schoolroom - 1859 (from a watercolour by Fordham Artist John Kay) Cover Sketch map of Fordham Countess of Huntingdon’s Hymn Book All Saint’s Church Edwardian pupils of the National School Countess of Huntingdon’s Connexion Chapel and Schoolroom (British School) as built c. 1800 Manse and Second Schoolroom as rebuilt 1859 British School Sampler National School and Master’s House 1849, 1874 & 1896 Plan of Buildings as built 1859 with alterations of 1874 National School lesson 1899 Robert Potter

Page 1 6 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 23

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Select Collection of Hymns London 1786. 297 Hymns, including some written by the Countess and choruses from Handel’s Messiah. In the private collection of the Trustees of the Countess of Huntingdon’s Connexion.

INTRODUCTION ‘Education is a systematic instruction, schooling or training given to the young in preparation for the work of life. By extension similar instruction or training obtained in adult age. - Oxford English Dictionary.

THE SITUATION Fordham, Essex is a rural parish six miles north-west of Colchester and c 1800 contained about 2,500 acres of fertile arable land. The population was 539 and in the 82 houses 109 families were living. This overcrowding was the lot of the farm labourers for whom life was very hard and wages low especially in the winter. Smallpox and other infectious diseases were rife and after days of unremitting toil, the only thing to look forward to was sleep as even candles were looked upon by some employers as an extravagance. The only place of recreation was the ale-house, 466 of the population was engaged in agriculture and their farmhouses and cottages were scattered all over the parish. The Rector, Charles Onley, attempting to explain his small congregations said the farm work gave insufficient leisure to attend the services and “there is seldom what can be termed a congregation.” It seemed that the labouring population were beginning to show signs that they did not like to be reminded of their station in life but there was no other place of worship they could attend. The Calvinistic Methodists who founded the Countess of Huntingdon’s Chapel commented that “the village was very dark and benighted and the people profaned the Sabbath on all sides” and realising the need they established the Chapel.

Except for a school run by Mr Cone in the 17th century there is no record of any other school in Fordham until circa. 1800 when in many parishes the people who led the way to establish the education of the poor were the Incumbent and the Squire. In Fordham the Rector, Charles Onley of Stistead was not resident neither were the owners of the two manors nor was the Curate Thomas Twining, grandson of the founder of the famous tea firm, who lived in Fordham Rectory only in the summer.

It was the Connexion which brought education and the idea of education in the form of the Day School, Sunday School and adult participation . In common with the rest of the country the Anglican Church gradually awoke to the problem of providing education and this can be seen in Fordham when in 1810 the Rev. M. Dodd was apparently the first to work towards establishing a Church of England school in Fordham. In 1874 the Rev. T. L. Lingham, who was also worried by the Non-Conformist presence, was the School Manager when the British School was united with the National School.

The population had risen even in the agricultural depression after the Napoleonic war, reaching the peak of 802 in 1871, but by 1881, in the next Agricultural Depression 9

the population had fallen to 699 (and continued to fall to 379 in 1961). People had to move away to find employment and were attracted to domestic service, manufacturing industries, railways etc. To many the lure of London with its streets ‘paved with gold’ proved irresistible. Education in Fordham widened horizons and made people more confident and competent to leave.

CHILDREN IN EDUCATION Population

In Education

1871 740 Boys

81

14 = 17.37% of Boys

Girls

81

22 = 27.1% of Girls

162

36 = 4.68% of Population

1881 699 Boys

112

78 = 70%

Girls

75 187

1901 661

of Boys

62 = 82.6% of Girls 140 = 20%

of Population

85 = 13%

of Population

These figures would cover children between the ages of five and 14, include apprentices but not children under five who, shown as scholars, must have been ‘baby-minded’, Scholars of 14 are not included as they must have been receiving education outside Fordham where education was not available over the age of 14.

1851 Children aged 5 to 14 not shown as scholars were at home helping the family or had started work. Parents may not have approved of education above their station, need the children’s unpaid services or could not have afforded the school pence required.

1881 By this date legislation in 1876 and 1880 had made attendance compulsory to the age of 14 but children could leave after the age of 10 if a certificate of proficiency or an average level of attendance was obtained without which employment was illegal.

1901 The population was ageing and numbers fell as people of child-bearing age moved away to find employment and to widen their opportunities.

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TEACHERS IN FORDHAM Date first mentioned C1800 C1800 1810 1818 1833 1841 1845 1851 1851 1861 1861 1861 1861 1861 1861 1870 1870 1871 1871 1871 1871 1871` 1881 1881 1881 1881 1881 1894 1898 1898 1898 1898 C1900

Name Rev. J. Harris Chapel Clerk Rev. M. Dodd An Old Woman Rev Dodd & Daughters Anne Lappage Mr W Lawrence Jane MacDonald Catherine MacDonald Ann Bray

Notes

Ref

Schoolmaster at C of H S Singing Teacher C of H S A few Anglican Children Dame School Teacher C of E Sunday Schools

Charity Comm. Reports Charity Comm. Reports ERO T/A 778 Education of Poor 1818 Education Enquiry Abstract 1833 Schoolmistress 1841 Census Schoolmaster CHS @ ÂŁ10 per Year C. of H. Records Schoolmistress 1851 Census Assistant Schoolmistress 1851 Census

Governess at British School Schoolmistress at National Sch Emily Ellis (lived in Schoolhouse) Sarah Gardner Governess at Houds Farm Sarah Frost Governess at Rose Cottage Mary Pratt Nursery Governess at Rose Cottage Sarah Rolfe Governess at Fordham Hall Ellen Copard Mistress at National School Elizabeth Mills Infants Mistress at National School Anne Snowden British School Teacher Suzanne Springate Needlework teacher at National School George Wm Schoolmaster at National School Theobald (lived in Schoolhouse) Elizabeth Perry Teacher Rebecca Wright Pupil/Teacher Amos Kettle Master at Elementary School Eliza Everitt Teacher at Elementary School Lucy H Powell Governess at Fordham Lodge Lizzie Arnold Pupil Teacher Emma Springate Monitor (scholar) Harry Rouse Master National School (Certificated and Choirmaster) Miss ED Partridge Assistant Mistress Natl School Mrs A Biggs Sewing Mistress Natl School Minnie Sibley Monitoress Natl School Thomas Salmon Temporary Monitor Natl School Selina Knight Governess at Fordham Hall

1861 Census 1861 Census 1861 Census 1861 Census 1861 Census 1861 Census KD 1870 KD 1870 1871 Census 1871 Census 1871 Census 1871 Census 1871 Census 1881 Census 1881 Census 1881 Census 1881 Census 1881 Census KD 1894 School Log Book School Log book School Log Book School Log Book Oral from Green Family

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TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION AT FORDHAM TEACHERS Date Name 1900 Mr J. Garratt 1901 Mrs Salmon 1901 Mr Wakeley 1902 Dr Worts

Subject Bees and Beekeeping Dressmaking Fruit Culture Ambulance and Nursing

Reference ERO D/P 88/28/18 do. do. do.

ADULT EDUCATION In the early 19th century a new idea manifested itself in Fordham. Under the will of William Ellis, which provided education for children at the Connexion Chapel, money was provided to supply a singing teacher to instruct people on Wednesday evenings in the same chapel, possibly using the Countess of Huntingdon’s own Select Collection of Hymns. This was before the Anglicans had any involvement in education in the parish. People, with new heart, found the time and energy after a long working day to meet together with their social equals, and as singing is such an enjoyable activity learning must have been a pleasure. At this time singing would have been unaccompanied, and begun by the teacher giving the note.

1846 When the Rev. John Harris of the Connexion died he left £40 to purchase British and Foreign Bible Society bibles and texts to be sold to the poor of Chapel at reduced prices. Their reading skills would have been improved by this and it also presupposes that they were able to read at an acceptable level.

1878 The now disused school room at the Connexion Chapel was opened as a Free Reading room. 200 books, papers and magazines on various subjects were purchased and were used as a basis of the lending library (Colchester Public Library was not opened until 1893). Young people and others took full advantage of this facility “to spend their evening profitably”. As they read they must have begun to question their lot, in common with others at this time and to realise that better opportunities lay outside the village. At this time of agricultural depression the standard of living was low, food was scarce and jobs even scarcer but they had the energy and interest to seek knowledge - horizons were widening.

1896 There was a choir at All Saints Church trained at the time by the National schoolmaster, Harry Rouse. After the Rev. M.W.M. Dunn became the Rector of Fordham in 1897 he originated and conducted several choir festivals for which, when held in Fordham, tea was provided in the National School. Keen choristers would have found these festivals instructional and enjoyable and they also would have enjoyed the annual outings to the seaside which were often to Clacton-on-Sea in Essex.

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An illuminated address to the Rector from the Fordham and District Choirs Association, together with festival photographs, hangs in the vestry of All Saints Church.

1898 An Evening Continuation School was started for people between the ages of 10 and 20 who had never learned to read but who were eager to do so and for the further education of those who had left school early. Successful classes were held at the National School and received excellent reports. About 13 keen pupils attended regularly and were taught by the schoolmaster Mr Rouse and his wife.

1899 - 1903 The Technical Instruction Act of 1889 provided all ages with opportunities to gain scientific and practical skills to cope with a fast changing world, of which they had been made aware by the Great Agricultural Depression at the end of the nineteenth century, and the challenges of learning new techniques. On the Committee of the Wakes Colne Technical Instruction Centre were the Rector of Fordham, the Rev. M.W.M. Dunn and Mr G Morley of Penlan Hall, Fordham. From 1899 to 1903 instruction was provided in Fordham on bees and bee keeping, dressmaking, fruit culture, ambulance and nursing, butter making, poultry, carpentry and potato spraying.

Classes were held at the National School, the Rectory and on agricultural sites, both during the day and in the evening. These were all well attended and people who were too poor had the fees waived by the Committee.

All Saints Church, Fordham, Essex

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DAY SCHOOLS After the school run by Mr Cone in the 17th century, the Rector, Charles Onley in 1766 reported complacently that there was ‘no teacher of any kind in the parish’. It was not until c. 1800 that a day school was opened, adjoining the Countess of Huntingdon’s Connexion Chapel in Plummers Road, capable of holding 20 children.

1810 The first mention of a Dames school in the parish for 20 children.

1833 An inquiry stated that there were 10 males at the Connexion School which was provided by an endowment and at the Dames school and two other schools, not specified, were 15 males and 15 females who were being educated at their parents’ expense.

1849 The Dames school merged with the National School in 1849 when it was built.

1866 A Primitive Methodist Chapel was established at Fordham Heath. Records mention a school next to the chapel but do not specify whether it was a day or a Sunday school.

1874 The British School (Countess of Huntingdon’s Connexion School) closed and merged with the National School.

Edwardian Pupils of the National School

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COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON’S CONNEXION SCHOOL, LATER KNOWN AS THE BRITISH SCHOOL - PLUMMERS ROAD

The First Schoolroom and Chapel as built circa 1800. Timber built, weatherboarded and tiled. Detail from an undated photograph pre-1859, in possession of the Arnold family of Fordham.

Circa 1800 with money from an endowment under the will of William Ellis a lean-to schoolroom was built opening out from the Chapel. It was timber built, weatherboarded and tiled and was capable of holding 20 children. An endowment provided free education in reading, writing and arithmetic for five boys and five girls, from the ages of 8 to 12 or 14, of poor labouring people of Fordham or any neighbouring parish.

In 1836 the schoolmaster the Rev. J Harris was ill and only taught the three R’s to the boys in the Chapel schoolroom while the girls were being taught reading only, at his expense, by a schoolmistress at her house in the village. It is unlikely that their benefactor, the enlightened William Ellis would have approved of this discrimination.

After the Rev. Harris died in 1845 both boys and girls were again taught together in the Chapel schoolroom.

The endowment provided education for 10 children but from various reports eg.

Government Educational Inquiries 1818 and Visitation Replies to Queries for various dates, the number of pupils fluctuated between 10 and 20. It is possible that 10 children received free education and others were paid for by their parents. In the 19th century the school came under Congregational supervision and was known by 1859 as “The British School” and was active, in spite of the presence of the National School which was built in 1849.

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Under the supervision of the Rev. Warmington, the old timber building was demolished and replaced in 1859 by one which was brick built and tiled and subsequently use as a Day School, Sunday School and for various weekly activities.

Until the early 1870s, there are reports of the flourishing school, parents’ approval and the raising of satisfactory amounts of money.

Second schoolroom rebuilt in 1859. Photograph taken in 1967 just prior to demolition of Manse and Schoolroom. (Trustees of C. of H.C.)

When, under Forster’s Education Act of 1870, 134 places had to be provided for children’s education in Fordham (the population divided by six), there were 73 places in the National School and up to 20 places in The British School, a deficiency of 41 places. The Agricultural Depression began to bite and The British School found themselves unable to provide either land or money for enlargement or to provide a qualified head teacher, but the National School received sufficient grants and subscriptions to fulfil the requirements of the 1870 Act. In 1874 The British School reluctantly closed and was then united with the National School which, from then on, all parish children could attend. The schoolroom was finally demolished in 1970.

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Unfortunately none of the school records has survived. In 1905 the Trustees of the Chapel Charity denied that they had ever had a school or schoolroom. Had they ever seen the Trust Deeds of 1837 or actually visited the Chapel? It is impossible to judge the standard of instruction but Nonconformist schools were generally competent. The only items known to be on curriculum were reading, writing, arithmetic and needlework.

The last from a sampler embroidered by Frances Hannah Arnold of Fordham, sometime between 1861-7, which is in the possession of a descendant of the family (see below).

Frances Arnold Sampler, Circa 1861/7.

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOP QRSTUVWXYZ. 12345

ABCDEFGHI 12345678910 FRANCES HANNAH ARNOLD FORDHAM BRITISH SCHOOL

GOD IS LOVE 17

DAMES SCHOOL The first mention of the school is in 1810 when it contained 20 children and by 1818 the parents of 18 children paid an old woman 3d. per child per week for their instruction. There was no Church school in the village and the Rector Moses Dodd, anxious over the lack of Anglican influence and support for the children’s education, remarked, “the poor are desirous of having the means of education while the children are young and unable to work”. He led the way himself and by 1841 the school was supported by the parents and the Rector. The school opened daily at 9.00am except on Saturday and would have been closed on Sunday for Church Worship and Sunday School. It is possible that some children under five who attended were ‘baby minded’ while both parents worked.

In 1849 the school merged as many others did at this time, with the National School, but I have been unable to find out where the school was situated.

THE NATIONAL SCHOOL In 1849 this mixed Church school together with an adjoining Master’s house both brick and flint built and tiled, were erected in the ‘Elizabethan Style’ which was popular for many schools built at this time. Both were built at a cost of £400 in Mill Road, south of All Saints Church on two roods of land (approx. half and acre) given by Earl de Grey who owned the manor of Fordham Hall and Archendines. (He also gave a small piece of land adjoining, in 1888, for urinals and WCs). There was one class room 19ft 6 inches wide and 29ft 6 inches long where children of all ages were taught together. This room contained one large and three smaller windows with a fireplace at either end. Surmounting the school building was a small turret containing the school bell which summoned children in the playground and latecomers to lessons.

In 1851 the school was united with “The National Society for Promoting the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Established Church.” Money was raised for the school by subscription, the Diocesan Board of Education, the National Society and School Pence. Also between 1863 and 1897 School Sermons were given at special services in All Saints Church when collections for the school funds were taken.

There were places for 73 children and in 1874, when the British School was closed, the school was extended to provide, as required under the Forster’s Education Act of 1870, places for 134 children and extra classroom and accommodation. (cost £196.15s.) The adjoining Master’s House had only one bedroom and one sitting room and in 1896 was extended at the rear in brick to provide three bedrooms and two sitting rooms to make it suitable for a married man with children. (Cost £135.)

The Trustees of the School were the Incumbent and the Church Wardens, the School Manager, who had complete control, was the Rector or his Curate. In 1897 a letter 18

Fordham National School and Master’s House, as built 1849, showing bell turret over the schoolroom and at the rear the 1896 extension to the Master’s House.

Back of school showing, on right, brick extension of 1874 and on left, 1896 extension to Master’s House.

(Photographs in possession of the author.)

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Fordham National School plan, as built in 1849 with alterations and additions of 1874. (Reproduced by courtesy of the National Society [Church of England] for Promoting Religious Education.)

in the National Society files reports that the Rector T. L. Lingham had died leaving his affairs in a deplorable state having borrowed from money lenders. The School Account was short and the money raised to extend the schoolhouse was unaccounted for. A lady in the parish and others made donations to cover the deficiency. Comment in the National Society files cites Fordham School as an illustration of the danger of they system, as laid down in the Trust Deed of 1851, of one man being in sole charge and thinking of the school as “My School.�

At first the instruction was in reading, writing, arithmetic and religious instruction and by 1871 a Needlework Mistress had been appointed as this subject was so necessary for girls when they grew up. Records of the school have been lost and it is likely that under various incumbents and teachers, standards could have varied but in 1874 the Rector reported that the School Inspector considered the standard excellent and by this time the curriculum covered a wide range of subjects which were periodically extended. This list of lessons attached for 1899 was for an average attendance of 85 with the staff consisting of:

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The Master

-

H. Rouse

Certificated Teacher

Assistant

-

E. D. Partridge

Article 68 Teacher

Monitors

-

Minie Sibley and Thomas Salmon

Sewing Mistress

-

Mrs A. Biggs

The so called “Cruel Circular� of 1893 demanded higher standards for school premises and an inspection of 1898 reported Fordham National School in a run-down state.

The school was gloomy, the windows gave insufficient light, the infants room was dirty and the playground needed resurfacing. This was all remedied without delay.

In 1898 four girls aged between 11 to 13 left school with a certificate of proficiency to start work. The background of poverty in the village made it acceptable (though illegal) that children would be seasonably absent to work on the land for potato picking etc. and in July pea picking closed the school for several days. The Harvest Holidays during August and September lasted seven weeks and gleaning, which was essential to provide flour for the year, is mentioned in the School Log Book. The Attendance Officer however had little cause for complaint as between 1898 and 1902, there were only two families, whose children attended very irregularly, who were reported and prosecuted.

Children walked by a footpath from Ford Street past the Mill to the school or from the other side of the village by a footpath from Penlan Lane, across the fields, to the Church and School, these two footpaths still exist. Two very young children who lived a long way did not have to attend in the winter. This invokes a picture of bad roads, bad footpaths, lack of suitable clothing or footwear and children wandering alone across the countryside.

Log Book Photocopy. Reproduced by courtesy of the Essex Record Office.

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The usual children’s illnesses were recorded of which mumps was the most serious and once closed the school for six weeks. Another danger was the water from the well which in 1899 was declared unfit and full of insects. A new pump was fitted.

Horizons were widening and happier things occurred when in 1899 a piano was purchased, a school library started and in 1900 gymnastic apparatus was given to the school. The Rector also took the children to Clacton for annual school treats. The Essex dialect has nearly disappeared today but in 1900 the children from the parish did not venture far afield or come under the influence of strangers, radio or television.

The school master, Mr Rouse complained, “It is difficult for children to forsake the style of language which is used by nearly everybody in the locality.” How things have changed!

PRIVATE EDUCATION - GOVERNESSES Some middle-class parents in the village preferred their children to be educated apart from the local children but few details have emerged.

1861 There was a governess at Fordham hall, one at Houds Farm and at Rose Cottage there was a boarding school for 5 children, two of whom were scholars over the age of 5. Of these 5 children, 4 were born in India and two of them were the children of the Rev. R. Parker Little, a chaplain in H. M. Indian Service. The school was run by a governess and a nursery governess.

1881 There was a governess at Fordham Lodge.

Until 1916 children of the Green family, tenants of Fordham Hall for generations, were not allowed to play with village children and were educated privately.

SUNDAY SCHOOLS In most Anglican Sunday schools children were taught the catechism and to read the Bible. In the beginning of the nineteenth century Anglican clergy were more zealous than in many decades before and keen to teach the children of the poor obedience and religious doctrine which would make them accept their place in life. Some Nonconformist Sunday schools taught reading, writing and arithmetic. As can be seen in the Census figures, not all parents were willing to send their children to a Day School. This may have been from fear as they themselves were illiterate or they could not afford to lose their children’s labour. Because Sunday Schools were free and did not interfere with weekly labour or the family income many parents overcame their reluctance and let their children attend.

ANGLICAN SUNDAY SCHOOL 1810 The Rector the Rev. M. Dodd reported, “No Sunday school has been established because the principal parishioners were reluctant to contribute.” The few children that 22

he with difficulty enlisted he catechised and put them to school himself, presumably in the Church.

1818 There was a Sunday school for 30 girls at the Church supported by the Rector’s daughters.

1833 There were Sunday schools at 9am and 2pm for 25 males and 40 females supported by the Rector and his daughters with assistance from the parish and a few casual donations. By this time the more affluent parishioners had been persuaded to contribute.

1851 A return of this date speaks of the average attendance of 60 in the morning and 50 in the afternoon.

1870 The Sunday school was in operation but numbers are not mentioned.

COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON’S CONNEXION, (CONGREGATIONAL CHAPEL) SUNDAY SCHOOL Unfortunately because so many of the Connexion’s records for the 19th century have not survived it is not until: 1828 That a Sunday school of 20 children is mentioned but by 1851 there was no Sunday school, only a Day school.

1857 The Minister the Rev. James, depressed by the lack of interest, reported, “no Sunday school inoperation” but a year later in 1858 the new energetic minister Rev. Warmington, who had doubled all the Chapel activities, reported “the Sunday school is now in operation” and he made many changes.

1870 Under another energetic Minister, the Rev. King the Sunday school continued to flourish and there were 7 teachers and 80 scholars.

Owing to fragmentary records there is no further mention of the Sunday school until the twentieth century except for descriptions of the annual anniversary celebrations and treats in which the whole congregation happily participated. The Sunday school was held in the schoolroom opening out of the Chapel.

BAPTISTS 1851 The Ecelesiastical Census return refers to 2 Baptist chapels in Fordham where 10 children attended the Sunday schools morning and afternoon. There is no mention of where they were situated. In 1868, in the will of James Grant, a Chapel is mentioned, but not the denomination, in Ponders Road at the corner of Quilters Green and in 1850 a Baptist meeting in the cottage of Mrs Lee at Fordham Heath is mentioned in Baptist minutes. These may have been the Chapels mentioned.a Baptist meeting in the cottage 23

of Mrs Lee at Fordham Heath is mentioned in Baptist minutes. These may have been the Chapels mentioned.

PRIMITIVE METHODISTS 1866 A chapel was established at Fordham Heath but it is not clear whether a school mentioned was a Day or a Sunday school. (see Day schools paragraph).

THE LEGACY In the beginning of the 19th century the Nonconformists led the way in education and when the Anglicans woke up to their efforts and successes there were religious rivalries and a contest between them to educate and influence children and adults.

Opposition to the Nonconformists was shown by the Rector in 1874 when he suggested that the required enlargement of the National School premises was an opportunity for all the children of the parish to be educated in the principles of the Church of England.

This view hardened in the early 1900s when the next Rector held meetings and complained to the National Society that he was not happy with the privilege of parents under, the “Conscience Clause�, to withdraw children from Anglican religious instruction. Nonconformist parents in the whole country were worried about this and wanted to be sure that their children were not subjected to Anglican indoctrination.

The National Society very firmly informed him that, under the law, signed notes of withdrawal must be accepted without question. A recurrence of this problem is shown in a case of a 1909, before the Lexden and Winstree Petty Sessions when William Crisp, a farmer in Fordham, summoned for non-payment of the Poor Rate complained of discrimination against Nonconformist pupils and staff in local schools. He also complained that there was excessive caning of Nonconformist children at the school.

This was brought to the notice of the authorities, was settled quickly and toleration ensued.

When in 1874, the Connexion left the elementary scene they had pioneered the only Day school in the parish was the National School and as we have seen not everyone was happy with this. In time the two parties gradually co-operated and when after 1978 the Connexion Chapel was abandoned, some services were held at All Saints Church. The great desire for knowledge which grew in the nineteenth century can be seen in Fordham which surprisingly for such a small village, was full of educational enterprise.

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A last word from the author My interest in education in Fordham in the Nineteenth Century began with my Great Great Grandfather, Robert Potter who was baptised at All Saints Church, Fordham on the 16th April 1797. He was the son of a gardener, William Potter and his wife Sarah Davey who were married at All Saints Church on 17th January 1782.

His signature appears on the indenture when he was apprenticed in 1812 for seven years, to Robert Swinborne and William Walter, printers, bookbinders and stationers of 15 High Street, Colchester and I was curious to know where he went to school and began my research. This has taken some time and I have to report that I still do not know, for sure, where he was educated but I have made discoveries, enjoyed the quest and made many friends.

Robert Potter in his late seventies when living at the Printers’ Almshouses, High Road, Wood Green, Tottenham, London.

Further reading: FORDHAM W.I., Village History Competition, 1957.

GUNARY, M., The Story of Fordham, 1954.

LEWIS, P., This Barren Land, 1997.

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SOURCES Analysis of Education Returns 1870. ERO T/Z 178/4 Baptist - Eld Lane Minutes. ERO DNB 4/6.7.

Beaumont W. & Taylor A. “Wormingford”.

Brown A.F.J. “Meagre Harvest” ERO 1990.

C of HC Fordham Chapel Minutes.

C of HC Letters re. Charity Commission 1905.

C of HC Minutes and Correspondence.

C of HC Registers. ERO T/R 228/1 & Reel 10.

CC Census Returns Fordham 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1901.

Cuttle Collection. (Newspaper Cuttings).

ERO T/P 181/5/19.

Descendant of the Green Family - Oral 1990.

Diocesan Educational Reform and General Census Return 1841. ERO D/A Cm 12.

DPR Ecclesiastical Census Return 1851. ERO T/A 470/3 Vol. 3.

Education Enquiry Abstract 1833 NS. Elementary Education Acts: 1876, 1880, 1891.

Essex Congregational Magazine 1874, No. 76. Vol. 8.

Essex Congregational Union Printed reports 1836 - 1910. Essex County Library Chelmsford. A. A. 285.8, & ERO D/NC 9/1.

Essex Review 1914. Vol. 23, p.213.

Fordham National School Logbook 1898.

ERO E/ML 128/1.

Fordham National School Trust Deed.

26

Enrolled 25/2/1851 NS. Fordham Vestry Minute Book and Preachers Book ERO D/P 372/I/13-16.

Forster’s Elementary Education Act 1870.

Horne, Pamela. ‘The Victorian Country Child.’ 1985.

K D Fordham 1855-1952.

Monumental Inscriptions. All Saints Church, Fordham. ERO T/P 232/4.

NS NS Letter 14/3/1874.

Pastor Rivers, last Pastor of the Chapel Oral 1987.

Primitive Methodist Yearly Schedule ERO D/NM 2/2/24.

Printed Census Reports 1801 - 1971. ERO. Reports of Education Committee of Council, Public Record Office ED 21/5121.

Trust Deed Relating to Charities, School and Chapel of Lady Huntingdon’s Connexion Fordham. 7WM IV 731. 1837.

V Fordham 1723 & 1810. ERO T/A 778.

VCH Essex Vol. 2 p.349.

W I Village History Competition. Fordham 1957.

Wakes Colne Technical Instruction Centre - Minutes. ERO D/P 88/28/18.

Whites Directory of Essex 1863, 1848.

Will of James Grant, Farmer of West Bergholt and Fordham. Proved 28.3.1868.

Will of William Ellis 1796. ERO/ D/ABR.

Note: Material used belonging to The Countess of Huntingdon’s Connexion is in the Private Collection of The Trustees of the Countess of Huntingdon’s Connexion.

ISBN 0 9521728 2 8 Price £3