Greystoke School rules circa 1790.
Tucked away in a folder of papers in Carlisle Archives, I chanced upon a copy of ‘The Rules to be observed by the master or mistress of the Sunday Schools instituted at Greystoke’.
The folder contained documents relating to the 18th century, but the handwriting and paper looked far more recent.
Were the rules from the 19th century? Perhaps someone had copied the original?
When were the rules drawn up?
To be honest, the names at the end aren’t a great help.
The committee was:
- Mr Calvert
- The Rev Mr Moises
- Mr Troutbeck
- The Rev Mr Shepherd
And the subscribers funding the Sunday schools were:
His Grace the Duke of Norfolk (£4 4s)
- The Rev Mr Moises (£2 2s)
- Mr Hudleston (£1 1s)
- Mr Troutbeck (£1 1s)
- The Rev Mr ??Holliwell (5s).
- Dr Story (5s)
- John Boddis (5s)
- John Shepherd (5s)
There was a Dr Richard Story died at Penrith in 1822. In 1783/84, he billed the Fletcher-Vane family of Hutton in the Forest for services including bleeding, leeches, extracting teeth and treating horses!
If that’s the right period, ‘Mr Calvert’ could be Raisley Calvert, gentleman, of Greystoke, who died in 1791 (probate listing). (Not to be confused with the Raisley Calvert who was a friend of Wordsworth, who died in 1795 – he was just 21 when he died, so probably not on a Sunday school committee).
Thankfully, The Rev Mr Moises nails it for us.
Rev Hugh Moises (1722-1806) became vicar of Greystoke in 1787, paying land tax there in 1798.
So, the Sunday school rules were first drawn up circa 1790.
Greystoke School rules – the preamble
The document starts: ‘The Rules to be observed by the master or mistress of the Sunday Schools instituted at Greystoke’.
Then clarifes that this includes: Greystoke, Gill, Motherby, Penruddock, Hutton, Hutton John, Whitbarrow, Berrier, Johnby, and Little Blencow.
Greystoke School rules – the list
Eight o’clock sharp, or else!
- The schools shall be opened every Sunday morning and the children in the school precisely at 8 o’clock or be deemed defaulters and punished according to the discretion of the master or mistress.
Devotion
2. The bell being immediately called over, the master or mistress shall read such prayers as shall be appointed by the committee, causing the children devoutly to attend the same.
3. Prayers being done, the master or mistress shall instruct the children in reading till the time of divine service, then conduct them to church, be attentive to their behaviour there, and return with them from there to school or see that they depart peaceably and quietly home.
A long day in summer
4. In the afternoon, the master or mistress shall cause the children to attend the school at half an hour past one o’clock, instruct them in reading till the time of evening service, and then conduct them to church as in the morning.
5. Evening service being done, the master or mistress shall conduct the children from church to school and employ them in learning their prayers and catechism till seven o’clock, or as long as daylight permit.
Morals and cleanliness
6. The master or mistress shall be particularly attentive to the behaviour and morals of the children, and take care they come clean and decent to school, and shall be regular in their hours of attendance, charging them, at their departure from school, to go immediately and orderly home.
7. All books purchased at the public expense to be locked up every Sunday evening and the key be kept by the master or mistress.
Not for all
8. No children to be admitted without the order of the committee and the recommendation of a subscriber.
The final say
9. The master or mistress shall be obliged to give an account of the behaviour and conduct of the scholars to the committee or any of the subscribers as whenever they are requested so to do.
10. NB. A majority of the committee shall have a power of settling any disputes that may arise, of making such alienation as to them may seem necessary and of enforcing the authority of the master or mistress.