Administrative history:
Crewkerne Grammar School is thought to have been founded c1499 by John de Combe, precentor of Exeter Cathedral and a former Vicar of Crewkerne. He endowed the school, which seems to have been carried on in one of the chantry chapels of the parish church, with property in Crewkerne, Combe St. Reigne and Merriott. By subsequent endowments and purchases the school acquired land in Haselbury Plucknett, and in Pilsdon and Maiden Newton, Dorset. The school was intended for the benefit of boys living in or near Crewkerne, but by the 18th century boarders from further away were accepted.
The foundation was managed by feoffees, including 6 townsmen of Crewkerne; in 1703 the number of feoffees was fixed at 23. Accounts were kept by one of the feoffees known as the Warden. In 1827, following a dispute between the master and the feoffees, an order in Chancery, laid down certain rules for the better management of the school, and stipulated that the master should be a clergyman of the church of England and that the principles of the church, together with Latin and Greek should form the basis of the curriculum. In 1876, the charity commissioners drew up a new scheme which broadened the curriculum and abolished the stipulation as to the master's religion. The school moved to new premises 1882. In 1904, after a prolonged financial crisis it was closed, re-opening in the following year as an ordinary secondary school under the Board of Education.
Deeds etc.
DD\CGS/1 [n.d.]
Deeds of enfeoffment
DD\CGS/1/1 1577-1816
Contents:
Property in Sturminster Marshall and Maiden Newton(Dorset), 1609, 1670; Templands in Pilsdon(Dorset), 1588 all school property 1648-1816. Surrender of right of dower in Haselbury Plucknett and Mudford, by Joan Draper, 1588; conveyance of land in Crewkerne to feoffees, 1619.
Deeds of enfeoffment
DD\CGS/1/2 1763-1855
Contents:
All school property, 1833, 1852. Conveyance to feoffees of house in Carter St. Crewkerne, 1840, and cottages in Backlane, Crewkerne, 1827-1841; conveyances by feoffees of land in Crewkerne, 1830. Statement of endowments and purchases 1855. Maiden Newton, Enclosure Act, 1831.
Conveyances
DD\CGS/1/3 1340-1675
Contents:
(Eventually to feoffees) of land in Crewkerne, 1340; Templands in Pilsdon(Dorset), 1377-1426; school-house, Carter Street Crewkerne, 1637-1675; part of Church house, Crewkerne, 1665.
Conveyances
DD\CGS/1/4 1675-1816
Contents:
To feoffees of Luscombe Farm, Netherbury (Dorset) 1708; land in Crewkerne, 1745. Leases by feoffees of property in Crewkerne, including the White Hart or Gun Inn, 1783, the former Bell Inn in Market Place 1789, property in East St., formerly called Ford's Malthouse, 1816; houses in North Street, 1783, Market Place, 1816. Property in Maiden Newton, 1794.
Conveyances of shares in houses in Carter Street, Crewkerne.
DD\CGS/1/5 1667-1854
Conveyance
DD\CGS/1/6 1810-1859
Contents:
Of land in Crewkerne and Haselbury Plucknett, eventually to feoffees, 1859. Marriage settlement Jeremiah Reader, of Crewkerne yeom. and Martha Wheadon of Crewkerne, 1810.
Conveyances
DD\CGS/1/7 1818-1865
Contents:
Of land in Crewkerne and Haselbury Plucknett, eventually coming to feoffees.
Conveyances
DD\CGS/1/8 1818-1883
Contents:
Of property in Crewkerne to and by feoffess including houses in Abbey Street, 1883, Carter Street 1879 (with plans) Admon. of property of John Munford of Chard, 1871.
Conveyances
DD\CGS/1/9 1821-1870
Contents:
Of land in Crewkerne coming to feoffees 1870. Abstract of title 1821-1870.
Mortgage
DD\CGS/1/10 1861
Contents:
Of house in Market Place, Crewkerne and insurance policy.
Conveyances
DD\CGS/1/11 1865-1880
Contents:
Of property in Crewkerne, including house in Market Place.
Conveyances
DD\CGS/1/12 1865-1881
Contents:
Of property in Crewkerne; report of committee on future status of school 1868.
Conveyances
DD\CGS/1/13 1882-1923
Contents:
Accounts, etc. of old school-house known as the Parish Room, Crewkerne.
Leases
DD\CGS/1/14 1609-1746
Contents:
By feoffees of property in Crewkerne, incl. Bell Inn, 1709; houses in North Street, 1669, East Street 1682, Fore Street, 1610, 1685; Templands in Pilsdon 1689, 1703; Haselbury Plucknett 1698.
Leases of Witherleys, Crewkerne
DD\CGS/1/15 1621-1746
Leases
DD\CGS/1/16 1632-1714
Contents:
Of property, including Gun Inn (East St.) Crewkerne, 1702; Templands, 1709; property in Maiden Newton 1637.
Leases
DD\CGS/1/17 1636-1741
Contents:
Of property in Crewkerne including Green Dragon 1695, 1701; Gun Inn 1663, 1699; houses in Fore Street, 1637, 1651, East Street 1691, Templands. Pilsdon, 1661-1741, land in Sturminster Marshall 1657.
Leases
DD\CGS/1/18 1637-1747
Contents:
Of property in Crewkerne, including Gun Inn 1702-1719; Bell Inn, 1740; House in Fore Street 1637-1704.
Leases
DD\CGS/1/19 1639-1744
Contents:
Of property in Crewkerne, including houses in East Street, 1639, Fore Street 1651, North Street, 1686; Templands in Pilsdon, 1648; land in Maiden Newton, 1660. Judith Baker's surrender of interest in Gun Inn, Crewkerne, 1618.
Leases
DD\CGS/1/20 1666-1746
Contents:
Of property in Crewkerne, including Green Dragon, 1671, 1741, Bell Inn 1740.
Leases
DD\CGS/1/21 1783-1789
Contents:
House in Market Place, Crewkerne, 1789; Templands, Pilsdon, 1789; Maiden Newton, 1783.
Leases
DD\CGS/1/22 1805-1862
Contents:
Property in Crewkerne, Maiden Newton; Templands in Pilsdon, Loscombe.
Leases
DD\CGS/1/23 1816-1841
Contents:
House in Market Place Crewkerne, Pre-marital settlements John Hayball of Crewkerne cordwainer and Sophia Atkins of Crewkerne, 1829, Robert Munford of Crewkerne, carpenter and Sophia Hayball, wid.1840.
Leases
DD\CGS/1/24 1865-1880
Contents:
Of property in Crewkerne, Merriot, Templands in Pilsdon, Loscombe Farm, in Netherbury.
Schedule of deeds of school property 1577-1886
DD\CGS/1/25 1834,1896
Valuations, correspondence
DD\CGS/1/26 1828-1844
Contents:
Re land at Crewkerne, Maiden Newton, Netherbury, and correspondence re Sturminster Marshall enclosure, Wimborne, and Puddletown turnpike.
Valuations, correspondence
DD\CGS/1/27 1877-1879
Contents:
Re exchange of land at Crewkerne.
Valuations, correspondence
DD\CGS/1/28 1878-1880
Contents:
Re exchange of land at Crewkerne.
Correspondence, plans, sale notices, draft conveyance
DD\CGS/1/29 1882-1883
Contents:
Re houses in Abbey Street, and old school house Crewkerne.
Copies, lease
DD\CGS/1/30 n.d.
Contents:
By feoffees of house in East Street Crewkerne, 1577; statement re foundation of school and function of feoffees, 1634.
Schemes of Management
DD\CGS/2 [n.d.]
Papers
DD\CGS/2/1 1717-1816
Contents:
Produced in evidence in Chancery case 1816-1827 between master and feoffees, including account of leases granted 1717-1747; rentals 1732-1753, 1739-1768; 1762-1768; nomination of Rev. Robert Patch as schoolmaster, 1762.
Papers
DD\CGS/2/2 1818-1827
Contents:
Connected with Chancery case, including estate accounts, 1788-1818, valuation of lands 1823, particulars of lands and rents; estimate for new master's house, 1824, proposed scheme for management of school.
Papers
DD\CGS/2/3 1816-1827
Contents:
Including Rev. John Allen's petition 1816, copy Charity Commissioners' report, 1823; copy rules for management of school, 1827.
Papers
DD\CGS/2/4 1818-1828
Contents:
Including petition by townspeople against rule that scholars be recommended by 4 trustees, 1828.
Masters opinion
DD\CGS/2/5 1869-1874
Contents:
Re scheme to alter management of school, under Endowed Schools' Act, 1869, draft scheme, 1874, schemes for endowed schools at Ilminster, Sherborne, Bristol.
Copies of scheme (1876) Charity Commissioners orders etc.
DD\CGS/2/6 1869-1877
Copies schemes and draft schemes
DD\CGS/2/7 1869-1876
Draft schemes
DD\CGS/2/8 1871-1875
Statements and petitions
DD\CGS/2/9 1873-1884
Contents:
Re scheme, 1873, memo of Dr. Penny's appointment as master, 1838, copy scheme 1875.
Copies of Endowed Schools' Act, 1873, schemes 1876.
DD\CGS/2/10 1872-1876
Conveyance
DD\CGS/2/11 1827-1908
Contents:
Of land and shares to Ilminster Free School 1827; schemes for same 1873, 1877, 1908.
Correspondence, reports, minutes
DD\CGS/2/12 1899-1900
Contents:
Of governor's meeting special committees re new scheme for school management school prospectus.
Minutes governors' meeting
DD\CGS/2/13 1899-1919
Contents:
1889; Report of public enquiry into school, 1904; Finance Committee report, 1911; inspector's report, 1909, new schemes, 1906, 1910.
Accounts, etc.
DD\CGS/3 [n.d.]
Wardens' accounts
DD\CGS/3/1 1610-1744
Wardens' accounts
DD\CGS/3/2 1788-1850
Wardens' accounts
DD\CGS/3/3 1850-1876
Clerks' accounts
DD\CGS/3/4 1876-1883
Abstracts of accounts (printed)
DD\CGS/3/5 1883-1922
Draft accounts
DD\CGS/3/6 1923-1936
Draft accounts
DD\CGS/3/7 1931-1946
Clothing accounts, bills and correspondence
DD\CGS/3/8 1932-1937
Accounts memos. etc.
DD\CGS/3/9 1938-1942
Ledger
DD\CGS/3/10 1834-1876
Ledger
DD\CGS/3/11 1876-1907
Misc. material, including estimates, reports on finances.
DD\CGS/3/12 1903-1911
Misc. material, including budgets, reports
DD\CGS/3/13 1911-1918
Rental, school lands, with ref. to unidentified map.
DD\CGS/3/14 1833
Accounts of sale and exchange of lands
DD\CGS/3/15 1878-1881
Returns, correspondence re rating assessment
DD\CGS/3/16 1928-1937
Correspondence, statements, etc. re salary scales
DD\CGS/3/17 1919-1926
Minutes, estate and finance committee
DD\CGS/3/18 1876-1896
Finance committee reports
DD\CGS/3/19 1903-1911
Correspondence, statements, etc. fees for foundation boys; insurance policies, 1861-1862.
DD\CGS/3/20 1839-1859
Particulars of fees of other schools
DD\CGS/3/21 1909
Correspondence, etc. re non-payment of fees
DD\CGS/3/22 1939-1941
Insurance accounts
DD\CGS/3/23 1872-1896
Letter re school's financial condition
DD\CGS/3/24 1928
List of wardens 1882-1927
DD\CGS/3/25 1927
Minutes of feoffees' or governors' meetings, etc.
DD\CGS/4 [n.d.]
Feoffees' minute books
DD\CGS/4/1 1772-1876
Contents:
Includes list of fixtures, 1800, list of feoffees n.d.
Governors' minutes
DD\CGS/4/2 1876-1895
Governors' minutes
DD\CGS/4/3 1896-1910
Governors' minutes
DD\CGS/4/4 1910-1925
Notices, correspondence re annual feoffees' meetings
DD\CGS/4/5 1827-1857
Notices of quarterly meetings
DD\CGS/4/6 1914-1917
Registers of pupils, academic papers etc.
DD\CGS/5 [n.d.]
Admission register, list of headmasters 1800-1882
DD\CGS/5/1 1828-1904
Admission register, list of headmasters 1800-1882
DD\CGS/5/2 1905-1947
Admission register, list of headmasters 1800-1882
DD\CGS/5/3 1905-1914
Admission register, list of headmasters 1800-1882
DD\CGS/5/4 1905-1917
Admission register, list of headmasters 1800-1882
DD\CGS/5/5 1915-1922
Admission register, list of headmasters 1800-1882
DD\CGS/5/6 1917-1930
Termly list of pupils
DD\CGS/5/7 1925-1948
Attendance registers
DD\CGS/5/8 1932-1937
List of numbers of pupils 1883-1903
DD\CGS/5/9 1903
Form of recommendation of pupils
DD\CGS/5/10 n.d. 1800-1837
Correspondence, forms, re bursary
DD\CGS/5/11 1907
Correspondence, etc. re special places, exam, results
DD\CGS/5/12 1932-1937
Correspondence, etc. re special places, exam, results
DD\CGS/5/13 1939-1942
Attendance returns
DD\CGS/5/14 1906-1918
Appointment of staff, staff registers, etc.
DD\CGS/6 [n.d.]
Staff register
DD\CGS/6/1 1905-1924
Staff register
DD\CGS/6/2 1925-1966
Correspondence, testimonials re applications for headmastership.
DD\CGS/6/3 1762-1837
Correspondence, testimonials re applications for headmastership.
DD\CGS/6/4 1837-1838
Correspondence, etc
DD\CGS/6/5 1936-1943
Contents:
Re resignation of headmaster appointment of new one, 1937, accounts and related correspondence.
Correspondence re
DD\CGS/6/6 1837-1937
Contents:
Appointment of headmaster, 1937; two letters from Dr. Chas. Penny, 1837, 1840; list of candidates 1838.
Teachers' contracts
DD\CGS/6/7 1914-1945
Correspondence, forms etc. re appointment of teachers.
DD\CGS/6/8 1927-1951
Memos re salary scales
DD\CGS/6/9 1919-1936
Certificates of Teachers' Service books
DD\CGS/6/10 1927-1934
Regulations, correspondence re pupil teachers
DD\CGS/6/11 1918-1922
Scholarships, etc.
DD\CGS/7 [n.d.]
Register of Owsley exhibitioners
DD\CGS/7/1 1764-1820
Contents:
Loose list 1759-1767 from end reversed, notes of rents, etc. at Priston, 1759-1790.
Papers re Owsley's exhibition
DD\CGS/7/2 1847-1898
Contents:
Including copy William Owsley's deed, 1625 and will, 1630; case for opinion of Charity Commissioners, 1855; accounts 1855-1878.
Correspondence circulars re proposed Hoskins and Wynford Scholarships.
DD\CGS/7/3 1844-1845
Rules, Charity Commissioners orders, correspondence, accounts re Penny scholarships.
DD\CGS/7/4 1876-1898
Accounts, correspondence re Sparks scholarship
DD\CGS/7/5 1905-1923
List of exhibitions
DD\CGS/7/6 1928
General academic, exams., etc.
DD\CGS/8 [n.d.]
Examination lists
DD\CGS/8/1 1861, 1868
Examination results
DD\CGS/8/2 1864-1876
Examination results
DD\CGS/8/3 1876-1884
Examination results
DD\CGS/8/4 1885
Examination results
DD\CGS/8/5 1885-1889
Reports of annual examination, also cutting etc. re foundation anniversary, 1899.
DD\CGS/8/6 1899, 1906
Reports examination Committee
DD\CGS/8/7 1911-1922
Minutes of examination and general purposes committee.
DD\CGS/8/8 1931-1946
Inspectors reports DD\CGS/8/9 1904, 1924
Buildings, etc.
DD\CGS/9 [n.d.]
Specifications, contract, tender, correspondence, plans
DD\CGS/9/1 1825-1853
Contents:
Elevation of new master's house, 1825-1828; list of fixtures, 1830, contract for building of classrooms 1853.
Specification for new classroom
DD\CGS/9/2 1853
Contract and plan
DD\CGS/9/3 1866-1867
Contents:
For work at Carter St., (Crewkerne) property 1866; contract for new play ground, 1867, with plan.
Estimates, contract, specifications, new school; plans, (kept separately).
DD\CGS/9/4 1878-1880
Plans, including heating and drainage wash-house.
DD\CGS/9/5 1880-1882
Advertisement for letting of play-field for grazing.
DD\CGS/9/6 1882
Reports, including water supply, sanitation, appointment of headmaster (1882)
DD\CGS/9/7 1882-1885
Correspondence, terms of leasing re playing field.
DD\CGS/9/8 1884-1889
Correspondence, tenders etc. re new laboratory
DD\CGS/9/9 1890-1902
Correspondence, tenders etc. re water supply
DD\CGS/9/10 1884-1902
Plans, correspondence re heating system.
DD\CGS/9/11 1880-1939
Specifications for repairs, accounts, Penny Scholarship, 1877-1911.
DD\CGS/9/12 1905
Reports, correspondence re drainage
DD\CGS/9/13 1905-1906
Specifications contracts, accounts for new wing
DD\CGS/9/14 1908-1910
Correspondence, bills, etc. re electricity and water supplies
DD\CGS/9/15 1910-1913
Reports of House Committee
DD\CGS/9/16 1914-1924
Reports, specifications, estimates for new gymnasium.
DD\CGS/9/17 1924
Specification, estimates, correspondence re electricity; list of fixtures
DD\CGS/9/18 1931
Plans for heating
DD\CGS/9/19 1944
Contents:
Also, copy, statement of benefactions, (1855).
Miscell. plans
DD\CGS/9/20 1869-1905
Contents:
Including, school and property in Carter Street, 1869, proposed school site, 1878, assembly room, 1908.
Miscell. papers
DD\CGS/9/21 1882-1904Contents:
Including lists of fixtures, payments for furniture. Also minutes of special governors' meeting 1899, report, on school, 1904.
Miscellaneous
DD\CGS/10 [n.d.]
Metrica Quaedam Monostrophica
DD\CGS/10/1 1782, 1786
Contents:
George Isaac Huntingford, 1782; Poetical Translations, John Browne, (pupil of Crewkerne Grammar School,) 1786. Letter from owner, 1931.
Letter from Captain Thomas Hardy
DD\CGS/10/2 1803
Contents:
(Old pupil of school) H.M.S. Amphion, re places on his ship.
Arithmetic fair copy book
DD\CGS/10/3 1807
Copy travel journal
DD\CGS/10/4 n.d.
Contents:
Of Major William Sparks; Holland Germany, Switzerland, France, 1832.
Copy travel journal
DD\CGS/10/5 n.d.
Contents:
Of Major William Sparks; France, Italy, Austria, 1859
Warrant
DD\CGS/10/6 1822
Contents:
For arrest of Edward Murly, William Dummett, James Bishop and William Symes for offence at Crewkerne.
Toasts, Crewkerne School Meeting
DD\CGS/10/7 1840
List of trustees (bef. 1825, probably 1816-1825)
DD\CGS/10/8 n.d.
Letter from pupil to mother
DD\CGS/10/9 n.d. 1838-1875
Framed class list
DD\CGS/10/10 n.d. 1838-1875
Returns, various forms of enquiry re school.
DD\CGS/10/11 1865, n.d.
Note re history of school
DD\CGS/10/12 1875-1882
List of potential subscribers
DD\CGS/10/13 n.d. post 1875?
Contents:
Charles Penny Scholarship Fund, letter re the same, 1918.
Newspapers
DD\CGS/10/14 1842-1882
Contents:
Including Pulmans Weekly News, Times, 1873-1882; advertisements, sale of timber, 1842, letting of land, 1847.
Miscell
DD\CGS/10/15 1916-1939
Contents:
Correspondence mainly to W. Hexter, headmaster 1913-1933, and including letter from daughter of Dr. Penny.
Ticket, opening ceremony of new school
DD\CGS/10/16 1882
Programme, opening of new school
DD\CGS/10/17 1882
Prospectuses
DD\CGS/10/18 c1899-c1950
Prospectuses
DD\CGS/10/19 c1897-c1908
Contents:
Of various schools including King's College and Queen's College, Taunton, Taunton School, County School, Wellington, Huish Grammar School, Taunton, Sexey's School, Bruton.
Correspondence, circulars, etc. re advertisements.
DD\CGS/10/20 c1909-1914
Cuttings, programmes, etc. of speech days
DD\CGS/10/21 1906-1932
Order of service, Founders' Day
DD\CGS/10/22 n.d.
Notices, cuttings, programmes of Old Crewkernians Association
DD\CGS/10/23 1919-1936
Play and concert programmes
DD\CGS/10/24 1927-1952
Correspondence re acquisition of 2 peacocks for school and their disposal. Copy of Punch, 1956, mentioning purchase.
DD\CGS/10/25 1956-1958
Minutes, school debating society
DD\CGS/10/26 1917-1932
Minutes scientific society
DD\CGS/10/27 1928-1941
Minutes, Ions Society
DD\CGS/10/28 1951-1968
Anthem composed for anniversary celebration
DD\CGS/10/29 1899
Cutting
DD\CGS/10/30 1906
Contents:
Re review of 'Three Dorset Captains at Trafalgar' (Broadley and Bartelot)
Notice
DD\CGS/10/31 1952
Contents:
Defining Blackmore Farm, Woolminstone as infected area, under Anthrax Order, and withdrawal of same.
Annual Report, School Medical Officer
DD\CGS/10/32 1943
Copy
DD\CGS/10/33 1952
Contents:
Bodleian Library Record with article re Christopher Wase's investigation of Free School, c1670. Photocopies of sections relevant to Crewkerne.
Notes
DD\CGS/10/34 n.d.
Contents:
From Concise Description of the Endowed Grammar Schools, (N. Carlisle, 1818)
Leaflet The Value of Latin
DD\CGS/10/35 n.d.
Notice and order of service for anniversary celebrations.
DD\CGS/10/36 1899
Memo. of deposit of deeds for overdraft
DD\CGS/10/37 1915
The Crewkernian school magazine
DD\CGS/10/38 1886-1891
The Crewkernian school magazine
DD\CGS/10/39 1915-1939
The Crewkernian school magazine
DD\CGS/10/40 1940-1965