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Winchcombe |
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The Hawkins family were prominent figures in education in Winchcombe for a significant period during the 19th Century. This page is a compilation of transcriptions illustrating their contribution, kindly provided by Janey Hawkins, from documents in her family's possession. Anyone sharing an interest in these families is invited to contact Janey ( ), as she would be delighted to learn more about them, and especially of their origins elsewhere in Gloucestershire.
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| 1865 - 1874 | Mary Elizabeth Hawkins[1] (sister of Thomas) became Mistress of Gretton School, Winchcombe. Her parents, Robert and Hester, came to keep house for her at Stanley Pontlarge. Since they left here in 1874, it would seem that Mary kept this post until then. According to Thomas's diary, she married James Coates in May 1883 (but the same diary refers to 'my sister M E Coates' in 1856) |
| 1875 - 1885 | Thomas Hawkins was Master of Gretton School. In 1875, Thomas's daughters became Pupil Teachers, Amy at Gretton School and Bessie at Dents School. In 1877, Thomas's third daughter, Hester, became Pupil Teacher at Winchcombe Board Infants' School. In 1884, Sarah Elizabeth Hawkins, Thomas' wife, retired from Winchcombe Board School, with a pension of £20 per annum. |
| 1885 - 1887 | Lavinia Greenhalf was Mistress of Gretton School, until her marriage to Robert William Hawkins, son of Thomas. |
| [1] | The Archivist at Sudeley castle, Winchcombe has a reference to a Miss Hawkins in the diaries of Emma Dent (Mistress of Sudeley Castle). This was probably Mary Elizabeth, sister of Thomas. |
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| 1847 | December 31st On this day apprenticed to the work of pupil teacher at the Central Infants' School, Cheltenham. Incumbent the Rev F Close; Master & Mistress Mr Geo Rogers & Mrs Rogers | ||
| 1852 | December. I sat for a Government Queen's Scholarship. | ||
| 1853 | 22nd January. Received a letter from the Rev W Gover, principal of the Worcester Diocesan Training College informing me of my success as a Queen's Scholar. At the close of the month I entered the College at Saltley for a course of two years training. At the end of the first year's residence my Scholarship was renewed. | ||
| 1854 | Xmas. Immediately upon passing the Government examination I left the College | ||
| 1855 | January 23rd. Left my home to begin School life as a National School Master. My first school was that at Epsom. | ||
| 1856 | January 14th. Purchased a Twenty Point Harmonium. Lent work to my sister M E Coates. | ||
| 1857 | December 26th. At Xmas I left my school having obtained another School in Bath. My marriage day Walcot Church by the Rev Barlow | ||
| 1858 | March 25th. Became Master of the Keysham Parochial School. Xmas holidays were spent partly in Cheltenham and partly in Worcestershire at Hagley Stourbridge. | ||
| 1859 | June 25th. Left Keysham and came to Bradford on Avon - a broiling hot summer's day | ||
| 1860 |
February 10th. Birth of my eldest daughter Amy Ann June 6th. Death of my only and elder brother Robert who after a lingering and painful consumption departed this life at the age of 30 years & 3 months. His end was peace. |
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| 1861 |
January 1st. Having spent my Christmas holidays with my parents they
came to Bradford to live with my wife and family. Dec 21st. Birth of my second daughter Bessie. At the end of the month two of my pupil teachers gained Queen's Scholarships. The most persevering obtained a first class position - M A Mager. The other M M Packer a second - |
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| 1862 | August 18th. Went with sisters Hester and Mary to London to visit the International Exhibition. At the close of the month Thomas Smith one of my scholars was accidentally drowned (Canal) | ||
| 1863 |
May 6th. Birth of my third daughter Hester Mary. June. The first day of school re-assembling after the holidays of Trinity Week a little boy about 10 years old (Thomas Harrington) during the dinner hour after having been present at school in the morning was accidentally drowned in the Avon. November 25th. Today my school was for the first time examined under the Revised Code by the Rev W Tatt(?) HMI. December. The three following teachers having completed their term of apprenticeship presented themselves as candidates for the Xmas Examination for Queen's Scholarships. Hy Moore- Class 1. Chas Rickards - Class 1. Jane Miller - failed. My sister Mary Elizabeth sat for the same examination same time and obtained a 1st class |
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| 1864 |
August. Bessie,, her mother and myself visited Brother T at Ilminster. December 9th. Annual examination of the school by the Rev J W Nutt. December 27th. Birth of my son Robert whose body and soul I pray God to preserve unto everlasting life. |
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| 1865 |
January 5th. My 30th birthday. During the month I assisted Master W
Yerbur in his home studies. In the summer holidays of this year my sister Mary visited us. October. Instructed Master C Popham for a short period in the absence of C Bryant. November 25th. Harmonium returned by Mr C Bryant. December 14th. The Annual Inspection of the Bradford Trinity Church Schools by the Rev J W Nutt. Entry on Certificates "The school is making fair progress". December 21st. Mary James came to live with us on Bessie's 4th birthday. We broke up school for the Xmas holidays. Renewed correspondence with our old friend Mr W Brown. Xmas. H Moore, formerly pupil teacher in my school left St Marks, Chelsea to take the Mastership of a mixed school in Wales, nr. Shrewsbury. My younger sister, formerly pupil teacher of Winchcombe School left St Mary's Hall, Cheltenham to take the school at Gretton nr. Winchcombe. My father and Mother who have now lived with us since Xmas 1859 left us to keep house for their daughter at Gretton. December 26th. Anniversary of our wedding day. December 29th. Niece Caroline visited us on return from her wedding tour to Clifton. |
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| 1866 |
January. Heard again from Mr Wm Brown of Epsom and also from Mr
John Turner. January 21st. The Rev B Leighton preached from Ps II. 12v. "Kiss the son lest he be angry and so ye perish from" February 10th. Dear Amy's (my elder daughter's) Birthday. The rec? a very nice little book from Elizabeth Whitehorn, a Hymn Book from Miss A Jones and a kind letter from her Grandfather. February 13th. Attended in the Morning and Evening Divine Service on the occasion of the re-opening of the Parish Church of Bradford on Avon after the restoration of it. Between the two services I attended a public luncheon at the Town Hall at which the Bishop of Salisbury presided. Collection on the occasion of reopening amounted to 68£.17s.11d. February 16th. Brother J Cooper of Ilminster paid us a short visit on his way homewards through Bath. Lent my harmonium for the use of the Church to the Vicar. March 10th. Walked into Bath withdrew the Interest of my Account for the year ended Nov 20 1865 at the Bath Savings Bank. March 24th. Received towards Balance of Quarter's Salary from the Rev W H Jones the sum of £10.10s.0d, leaving a balance due of £6.0s.7d. December 22nd. Withdrew from the Account in Bath Savings Bank the sum of 10£. Visited my father and Mother at Stanley near Winchcombe - also my relations at Cheltenham. |
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| 1867 |
January. I undertook the Office of Voluntary Collector of Donations and
Subscriptions to the schools. January 4th. I went to Bristol to make enquiries concerning the Mastership of St Nicholas' Schools. |
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| 1868 |
March 25th. Went to reside at Barton Orchard. November. Resumed the teaching of a class in the Sunday School. December. H E Whitehorn Pupil Teacher gained a First class Scholarship of admission to the Salisbury Diocesan Training Institution. The school Grant for 1868 £60-6-4d was higher in amount than for any previous year since the introduction of the Revised Code 1863. December 3rd. Aunt Betty Cooper of Stourbridge died at the age of 85 leaving to my wife Sarah the sum of Thirty Pounds* (* Received an additional sum of £12-14-8d August 17th 1870) |
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| 1869 | I purchased land at Belcombe measuring 1 rood 13 perches for the sum of Fifty Pounds paid to Mr Isaac Jones Quarry Master of Bradford on Avon. | ||
| 1870 |
September 29th. Gave up possession of house in Barton Orchard to Mr
Ralph. June 14th. My last visit to Elizabeth Whitehorn prayed with her. June 16th. She died today at the age of 19years. June 22nd. By request attended her funeral. |
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| 1871 |
January. The Scholars of Day and Sunday schools had tea at the
Schoolroom and the following scholars reward books. (N.B. list of names
follows this). February 24th. The Government Grant for year 1870 £67-0-8d arrived. |
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| 1872 |
January. The Rev T G B Poole having been curate here for the past four
years left at the beginning of the month. In the February of this year my Mother visited us to keep dear Amy's (my eldest daughter) 12th birthday. |
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| 1873 |
Went to London in September of this year. I visited at the Rev Cazon
Fovers (?) and went to Epsom (Dulwich) November 1st. Advanced to my Brother-in-law Mr Thos Cooper of Ilminster, Somerset, the sum of One Hundred Pounds at 5 per cent. Int. for which I received his I.O.U. which document can be found in the front portion of this pocket book (N.B. not there now 2004) |
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| 1874 | June 17th. Received the sum of Ten Pounds. Legacy from the Executor of the Rev G E Melhuish per Rev B J Leighton. | ||
| 1875 |
March 6th. Deposited at North Wilts Bank at Bradford Fifty Pounds. June 24th. A few days previous to leaving Bradford the above amount of Fifty Pounds with the interest due thereon was withdrawn. Spent in the first Quarter at Winchcombe. I was appointed to the Mastership of the Gretton School and came into residence at Winchcombe the 25th of June 1875. Amy was articled as Pupil Teacher in Gretton School on July 17th 1875 Bessie the same year was articled to the Managers of Dents School. |
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| 1876 | Sept 29th Took the house in Gretton Road from Duckworths. | ||
| 1877 |
March. Hester Mary articled as Pupil Teacher in the Winchcombe Board
Infants School. April 1st. Robert Hawkins (son Robert William?) became Junior Clerk at the Poslip Paper Works. April 3rd. Kept Father and Mother's Golden Wedding day. September 30th. Death of my dear Father aged 73 years and 6 months. (Sunday event)"From death to life" October 14th. Attended Morning Service for the first time after the funeral of my dear Father with my dear Mother and dear Amy my eldest daughter. Subject of discourse "Confession of Sins" the Rev R N Jackson preached. December 25th. Morning School at Gretton Robert played harmonium. No. present 8. Wife and eldest daughter left home on the 24th to spend the Xmas holidays with her brother & his children in Bath. The first Xmas since my marriage that we have separately spent it. The rest of the family spent the afternoon and evening at my Mother's & Mary G H's Beech House. December 27th. Robert;'s birthday - kept up on the 28th with the Webbs. |
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| 1878 |
August. Visited Bath and Ilminster (see diary for 1876) Gretton School Mar 8 1878. The Rev H M Capel inspected the School and found 53 children present. He gave a very favourable report "There is much that is pleasing in this School - fitness for training apprentices good" and two Honor certificates were gained this year. Mar 24th. Heavy snow fall - number present at School 23. William Gardner & Minnie called. April 7th. Visited Tewkesbury Abbey with friend L Hawkins of Alderton. June 10th. Wife and youngest daughter visited Brother T Cooper Ilminster. My Mother with the remainder of my family dined with us at Elm Cottage, Gretton Road, Winchcomb while Hester Mary was on a visit to Miss Emma Richardson at Staunton. |
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| 1879 |
Jan 27th. Amy became a student at St Mary's Hall, Cheltenham Mar 30th. 5th Sunday in Lent. My Dear Mother Hester Hawkins formerly of Tetbury Gloucestershire, at early Sabbath dawn peacefully went to rest in Jesus. See note of Sept 30th (the same day was the Sabbath). The same day of the week at evening the Master called My Dear Father. Both lie in same Grave - in "God's Acre", Winchcomb,Glo'stersh.
October 11th. Went into Cheltenham and purchased for Hester Mary who was ill at Lane's Upholsterer, Pittville St 1-2.7 or £2 - 7 -5d. While in Cheltenham saw Mr S Selig who gave me an invitation to call upon him at Granley Villas, No 4, St Marks, Glo'ster Rd. |
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| 1880 |
April 9th. Went to Swindon to vote for Estcourt and Long (North Wilts)
Whitsuntide Cheltenham Reunion. Miss Noble came from Froome and
called at Winchcomb to see us staying a few days. August 17th. Winchcomb and Gretton Schools had their Annual Treat at Toddington - the seat of Lord Sudeley. August 26th. Raikes Memorial Sunday School Centenary. I visited in the Harvest V(?)action Cirencester, Tarlton, Bisley, Bristol, Pensford, Stanton Drew and Chew Magna. Mr Turner very kindly received me - tried when at Bristol in vain to find our friend Lewis Hawkins. |
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| 1881 |
Jan 7th. Edward Cooper "called home". Amy in the latter part of same
month went as Assistant Teacher to Everton under Miss Kiwack Sept 19th. Robert received appointment as Organist at the Parish Church Winchcomb. In this year Robert took lessons on the organ from Matthews. Bessie and myself paid a visit to Amy at Liverpool. Wife to Bath: £2-0-0 Ditto 1-0-0 October 26th. Went to Saltby reunion and to Oldbury 10/6d December 27th. W Spencer brought his two brothers-in-law to Winchcomb - previous to leaving for America. December 31st. I visited Bath - stayed in Pierrepont St. |
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| 1882 |
Jan 5th. Visited Bradford, Trowbridge and Cirencester - returned on 6th inst.
Met J Coates at Swindon on his way to Cheltenham - left him at Kemble. Nov 21st. Bessie had the intelligence that she had gained a Scholarship admitting her to the Cheltenham Training College St Mary's Hall. Amy left St George's Everton being appointed under the Liverpool Sch Board to the charge of Assistant Mistress at Roscommon Girls' School. |
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| 1883 |
April. Amy appointed Governess at the Training College at Ripon. Hetty
went up to Liverpool to help Amy remove. May 22nd. Withdrawn Bath SB £20-0-0 May 28th. Robert W Hawkins entered the Royal College of Music as a Private Student. His Aunt, Mary Elizabeth Hawkins, in the same month entered into a marriage with Mr James Coates of Bloxham, nr Banbury, Oxon Dec 21. Bessie 2nd daughter under medical treatment - 22nd year of her age. |
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| 1884 |
Mar 24th. Gretton School. Mr Balmer being ill the School was inspected by
Mr Brodie of the Worcester district. Mr Waite examined on the 26th inst.
August. Visit to Cirencester. December 21st. Bessie has been appointed Mistress of the school at Winterbourne St Martin, Dorset. Nov. Withdrawn from Bath Savings Bank £31-5-3 Mar 15th. Ditto £5-0-0 Sept 17th. Tricycle £2-12-6 |
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| 1885 |
The Winchcomb School Board having decided to reduce the Teacher's
salary at Gretton 15p.c., I decided not to accept the reduced salary and
claiming 3 months notice at the fixed salary hereto. Gave up the charge of
Gretton School June 19th 1885. I was appointed to the New National Schools at Malvern Wells in May |
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| 1887 |
1st September. Robert William was this day married in Winchcomb Parish
Church to Lavinia the youngest daughter of Elisha Greenhalf. May the
union prove a happy one in every way. Prov.X.22v "A helpmeet for him.
He shall rule over thee". Dec 25th. Bessie gave up her duties at Winterbourne nr. Dorchester and entered upon her duties at Blackwell nr Bromsgrove Jan 7 1888. |
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Dear Granddaughter Bessie 'Tis now a fortnight since the date of your nice long letter so I will try to answer it as well as my memory will serve me for the letter is sent on to your Cheltenham Aunts. We are quite sorry to hear of your Mama being so poorly. We hope that she will soon regain her usual state of health and in the meantime we trust that you and your dear sisters will do all you can to lighten the load which wearisomeness and pain lays on such a good parent, and your dear father who has all his time so filled with work. You can help him by your cheerful obedience to his wishes which will make you so much the happier not only now but when you are grown up and become a parent yourself. 'Tis a remarkable occurrence of the number (?) which you have given me I cannot add to the list. My brother Thomas is the nearest he was the seven sevens on his birthday last year. Your Grandmothers fowls is reduced to four hens and one cock. There has been no eggs forthcoming the last 3 or 4 days but the laying was tolerably well for several weeks - I will tell you how the feathers may be made useful; you must cut off the quill part of all except the smallest of the feathers - and strip off the feathery part from the largest feathers because the quill and what the quill grows from is too hard for use - when you have done this put all the soft parts into a paper bag and the bag into the oven; when dried they will be fit for use. Of course the oven must not be too hot. It would be best to put the bag in at night and take it out next morning. In this way your Grandmother has made 2 or 3 nice pillows. We hope that Master Bobby's two front teeth are growing well so that he can do well in the choir both at the singing and the eating. I like the incident of the Watch Story. It shows his kindliness of heart and it will teach him the value of things. Please tell I send him my kindest love and your dear sister Amy too who I have no doubt is doing all she can to help her dear Mama. And then there is sprightly Hetty give them both my very kind love and the same to you too dear. You and me will agree not to let disappointments trouble us much or think of long for they will come whether we like it or not and often they are for our good. You may be sure when an opportunity offers someone of us will come to see you all. In the meantime all of you are in our thoughts and our Heavenly Father is blessing us so we will all try to be thankful and happy. Your aff'te Grandfather Robert Hawkins
Stanley pontlarge January 19 1872
Dear Mrs Hawkins Accept my sincere thanks for your most kind, though too flattering letter - I regretted very much not seeing you again before you left Winchcombe but I look forward to calling upon you in Malvern the first time I am able to go - I was there for 3 nights only just as you left Winchcombe in fact you must have arrived at your new home the Thursday I left. I felt so very low before going to Malvern I did not feel equal to asking you to come to see me - though often thought, with many regrets, that you and Mr Hawkins would so soon be leaving Winchcombe - it must always be a pleasure and satisfaction to you both to know what a good name you leave behind you and how much your good influence and bright example will be missed - Hoping soon to see you (I will send a line beforehand to make sure of finding you in) I remain
Yours most truly Emma Dent Sudeley castle
July 10th
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Mr R W Hawkins acted as organist of the above parish church for many months prior to his leaving for London, and gave us every satisfaction
Winchcombe Vicarage
Mar 3 1884
R Noble Jackson
Vicar
Winchcomb united district school board
Winchcomb, Gloucestershire
March 24 1885Gentlemen Mr Thomas Hawkins has held the appointment of Master of the Board School at Gretton from the formation of the Board in 1875 up to the present time. During that period the efficiency of the school has been maintained at a high standard and his conduct has given general satisfaction. He is a painstaking and conscientious Teacher - a good disciplinarian - and I regret that he is leaving our school
To the Bishops Cleeve School Board
(signed) John C Dent
Chairman of the Winchcomb School Board
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"An old man's farewell to Stanley pontlarge-
Dedicated to his dear Granddaughter Bessie"
Alas! Nevermore on thy meads must I wander
Thou dear little village how lovely thou art!
Alas! Nevermore mid thy sweet scenery ponder
On themes which brought and peace to my heart.
Ah! stern fate is forcing me from thee - yet never
Shall fate thy sweet scenes from fond memory sever,
Her love will unfold a bright vision whenever
Dull care spreads its dusky wing over my path
Yes whether in hamlet or populous city
To Stanley pontlarge I shall mentally stray
Again in the woodland sing some simple ditty,
Again to the little old church wend my way,
Again take my place with the small congregation,
Again hear the Pastor proclaiming salvation,
Again gladly answer such kind salutation
Again feel the peace which this world cannot give.
Once more for the mount where the bold huntsman sounded
His bugle so welcome to Hunter and Hound,
Till Reynard o'ertaken and mortally wounded
Knows not of his Brush being borne from the ground,
How grand! how sublime! how expansive, how cheering,
What beautiful objects on all sides appearing,
How hills beyond hills are their bold heads uprearing,
And woodlands and meadows adorning the land.
O give me my staff, hang my scrip by my shoulder,
There's many a pilgrim on life's thorny way
Upheld by the Arm of the One great Upholder
My trust shall be in Him for now and for aye,
As long as the taper of life keepeth burning
So long will my thought be to Stanley returning,
So long will my bosom with true love be burning
For all the dear friends I am leaving behind
Robert Hawkins May 1874with son Thomas as a young man. The original is collodion on glass.
Click to see larger versionin later life.
Click to see larger version
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[This information was kindly contributed by Janey Hawkins
in December 2005.© Copyright Janey Hawkins, GENUKI and Contributors 1996-2009, &c.
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[Created 23 Dec 2005. Last updated 3 Jul 2009 - 13:00 by Rosemary Lockie]