Catalogue description Charities Particular 3(b)(part). Volume entitled "Coventry Free School Correspondence and Papers, 1832-1838".

Fols. 1-3. 17th. Jan., 1832. Rules.

Fol. 4. 1832. Copy of council minute (29th. May, 1832) and report (10th. July, 1832) by committee (comprising Thomas Morris (mayor), alderman [Richard Kevitt] Rotherham, and E[dward] Phillips, T[homas] Rotherham and George Eld, that his doctors deem enforcing new rules upon the headmaster (Revd. William Brooks) would injure his health, but the bailiff should recover £69 when he settles accounts with the headmaster and usher [Revd. Samuel Paris].

Fol. 5. 4th. Sept., 1832. Copy council order that the Town Clerk (John Carter) transmit to Messrs. Woodcock & Twist (Brooks' and S. Paris' lawyers) a copy of the rules.

Fol. 6. 9th. Oct., 1832. Copy council minute (following letter (2nd. Oct., 1832) from Woodcock & Twist that Brooks and S. Paris do not recognise the council's authority to increase the singing master's salary or to effect new rules) that the clerk is uncertain if the masters object to the rules' attendance - provisions for them and the boys.

Fol. 7. 4th. Dec., 1832. Copy council order that a letter (5th. Nov., 1832) from Woodcock & Twist (about the Freeschool estate rents which the masters require) be minuted.

18th. Dec., 1832. Copy council order reiterating desire to know if the masters will obey new rules and furnish the corporation with a return of pupil-numbers.

Fol. 8. 28th. Dec., 1832. Letter from Woodcock & Twist to John Carter stating that the masters do not recognise the rules but want to have the balance of the rents.

Fols. 9, 10. 30th. Mar., 1833 (?) Letter from S. Paris to R. K. Rotherham, mayor intending to meet him on 1st. Apr. (?)

Fol. 11. 3rd. Apr., 1833. Extract from letter from Lord Denbigh to the corporation, thanking them for having sent him an insulting handbill which he has shown to the Bishop [of Lichfield and Coventry].

Fols. 12, 13. 3rd. Apr., 1833. Letter from W. Grant (Charity Commissioner) to the mayor about respecting Brooks' feelings lest his mind be again unhinged.

Fols. 14, 15. 6th. Apr., 1833. Copy of letter from the mayor R. K. Rotherham to William Grant about S. Paris' pension, Brooks' staying in the master's house, easing Brooks' path into retirement, 14/11/23 and 14/11/4.

Fols. 16, 17. 11th. May, 1833. Copy of W. Brooks' letter to the charity Commissioners' Clerk giving his terms for resigning during the following summer.

Fol. 18. 18th. May, 1833. Letter from the Charity Commissioners' Clerk to the mayor about the corporation making good a deficit in Sir Thomas White's Charity balances.

Fols. 19, 20. 27th. May, 1833. Copy of letter from the mayor to Lord [Denbigh] about fols. 16, 17, the recipient's need to accept Brooks' resignation of the St. John's rectorship, and allowances for retiring and new masters, etc..

Fol. 21. 3rd. June, 1833. Letter from Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry to Brooks about separation of the St. John's living from the Freeschool.

Fols. 22, 23. 4th. July, 1833. Letter from W. Grant to George Eld about how Brooks' obstinacy is frustrating a solution.

Fols. 24, 25. 20th. July, 1833. Letter from the Bishop to the mayor about a date for choosing a new headmaster.

Fol. 26. 21st. Oct., 1833. Letter from Charity Commissioners' Clerk to George Eld about the situation following Brooks' death.

Fol. 27. 14th. Nov., 1833. Letter from Griffith Richards (Lincoln's Inn, London) to ? about the new Freeschool rules' not being promulgated while information is filed which should lead to a management-scheme.

Fols. 28, 29. 15th. Nov., 1833. Letter from John Carter to George Eld reinforcing what Griffith Richards has opined and enclosing fol. 27.

Fols. 30, 31. 17th. Nov., 1833. Advertisement for headmastership, revised for second mastership, with 1832 rules.

Fols. 32-35. 18th. Nov., 1833. Application by Revd. Thomas Sheepshanks (6, Eaton Sq. Pimlico) to the Freeschool trustees for the headmastership, having formerly been at Shrewsbury, Falmouth, Edinburgh and Pimlico.

Fols. 36, 37. 22nd. Nov., 1833. Letter from W. Grant to G. Eld about his obligation to the recipient.

Fols. 38, 39. [Nov., 1833] Memorandum by G. Eld about the former master's and present usher's obduracy, the singing master, financial scheme as in fols. 19, 20, rental.

Fols 40, 41. 25th. Nov., 1833. Letter from Samuel Smith (Charity Commission) to G. Eld about application of the residue of Jeliffe's and Coxon's Charities and about Chambers' Charity; he wishes that the corporation would fix a limit to the headmaster's salary, and mentions municipal reform.

Fols. 42, 43. 28th. Nov., 1833. Letter from Lord Denbigh to Thomas Sharp reporting the Bishop's wish that Revd. Burn of Kynnersley, Newport, Salop. become headmaster.

Fol. 44. 29th. Nov., 1833. Letter from T. Sharp to G. Eld enclosing fols. 42, 43.

Fols. 45, 46. 6th Dec., 1833. Letter from G. Whitcomb (Charity Commission) to same acknowledging copy of the school rules.

Fols. 47, 48. [Jan., 1834.] Notes on candidates.

Fol. 49. 25th. Jan., 1834. Letter from S. Smith to G. Eld preferring Sheepshanks.

Fol. 50. 27th. Jan., 1834. Letter from W. Grant to [same] about St. John's documents and Freeschool candidates.

Fol. 51. 30th. Jan., 1834. Letter from S. Smith to same about Sheepshanks and another candidate.

Fol. 52, 53. 3rd. Feb., 1834. Copy of letter from G. Eld to a candidate admitting that he drew up the school rules, based upon the 1628 version and other endowed schools', and justifying them.

Fol. 54. 11th. Feb., 1834. Copy of council minute electing Thomas Sheepshanks headmaster.

25th. Feb. 1834, Copy of council order suspending rule [about residence in headmaster's house] and appointing a committee to confer with the headmaster about his abode.

Fols. 55, 56. 16th. Feb., 1834. Letter from W. Grant to [G. Eld] accepting the fact of Sheepshanks' election to which S. Paris must submit.

Fols. 57, 58. 5th. Mar., 1834. Letter from T. Sheepshanks to G. Eld about holidays, prizes, boarders, scholarships and fellowships, and a minimum number of scholars.

Fols. 59, 60. 8th. Mar., 1834. Letter from W. Grant to G. Eld formerly enclosing a report on the school.

Fols. 61, 62. 28th. Apr., 1834. Letter from J. Wynter (President of St. John's College, Oxon.) about £40 p.a. due from the corporation.

Fols. 63, 64. 6th. Aug., 1834. Copy of memorandum by W. F. Hook, R. Rawlings and C. Crawford about S. Paris' boys' incompetence.

Fol. 65. 13th. Aug., 1834. Copy of letter from G. Eld to W. Grant about matters at the Freeschool's re-opening with Sheepshanks in charge and the need to appoint a writing master following W. F. Hook et al's inspection.

Fol. 66. 28th. Aug., 1834. Letter from Charity Commission Clerk to -- about a new scheme for exhibitions under Lane's Charity and expedition of payments to Bond's Hospital trustees of Wheate's and Norton's Charities' arrears.

Fols. 67-70. 25th. Sept., 1834. Letter from Edward Black (Fellow of Clare Hall, Cantab.) to Freeschool trustees about unsatisfactory examination of one of S. Paris' boys.

Fols. 71, 72. 25th. Sept., 1834. Copy of Edward Black's letter.

n.d.. Copy of T. Sheepshanks' letter to S. Paris enclosing Black's letter.

10th. Oct., 1834, Copy of letter from S. Paris to T. Sheepshanks complaining that the corporation is harassing him, an ageing man - he is the donor's usher, not the recipient's.

Fols. 73, 74. 14th. Oct., 1834. Letter from W. Grant to G. Eld about sending the Charity Commissioners' report to M.P.s, the Freeschool's state, Lane's Charity, sale of freemen's land to the London & Birmingham Railway, and Wheate's and Norton's Charities.

Fols. 75, 76. 18th. Oct., 1834. Letter from same to same about S. Paris' attitude and getting him to relinquish the St. John's lectureship.

Fols. 77, 78. 21st. Oct., 1834. Letter from Thomas Arnold of Rugby to the mayor wanting definition of powers of two of his masters (Bucknall and Lee) to act as Freeschool examiners.

Fols. 79, 80. 22nd. Oct., 1834. Letter from same to same assuring him that his masters will see the recipient the next day.

Fols. 81, 82. 3rd. Nov., 1834. Letter from same to same (?) accepting thanks for Rugby's efforts.

Fols. 83, 84. 18th. Nov., 1834. Letter from T. Sheepshanks to mayor about money received and S. Paris' uncooperativeness, with promissory note.

Fol. 85. 9th. Dec., 1834. Draft of a letter from G. Eld to the Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry about S. Paris and about his son [Revd.] S[amuel] Stanley Paris as chaplain to the gaol, together with the latter's rudeness towards the Charity Commissioners (in the presence of pupils) which merits his removal.

Fol. 86. 9th. Dec., 1834. Copy of final version of fol. 85.

Fols. 87, 88. 29th. Dec., 1834. Letter from Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry to mayor explaining that, not being the school's visitor, he cannot take action and observing that S. S. Paris' rudeness in school is not ground sufficient for replacing him as chaplain to the gaol.

Fol. 89. 30th. Jan., 1835. Letter from S. Smith to G. Eld about a close beyond Hill Street Gate on Bablake Boys' rental.

Fols. 90, 91. 22nd. Apr., 1835. Letter from W. Grant to same about Charity Commissioners report and S. Paris' allegations that some boys have a natural incapacity for learning Latin.

Fols. 92-95. 15th. May, 1835. Letter from same to same about Edward Ellice's making political capital out of Freeschool difficulties, with a copy of S. Smith's opinion they ought not to seek to remove S. Paris on ground of misconduct as that would conflict with the current Chancery information - rather, they should try to pension him off.

Fols. 96, 97. 10th. Oct., 1835. Letter from J. Wynter to G. Eld (mayor) threatening legal proceedings for the £40 due from the corporation plus £5 per month additionally due under a penalty-clause.

Fol. 98. 13th. Dec., 1835. Copy of letter from G. Eld to J. Wynter explaining that the corporation cannot make any payments until it shall have met in two days' time.

Fols. 99, 100. 14th. Dec., 1835. Letter from J. Wynter to G. Eld, ready to await the actions of the council meeting but anxious because St. John's College's rights have been questioned since Brooks died.

Fol. 101. 16th. Dec., 1835. Draft of letter from G. Eld to [J. Wynter] promising to pay the recipient's agent the £40 annuity, any delay being caused by the state of the corporation's finances and former uncertainty lest (under a 11th. Dec., 1560 letter from Sir Thomas White) it be bound to pay St. John's College a proportion of the estates purchased by that college and White; St. John's should forward a copy of the relevant annuity deed to the reformed corporation.

Fols. 102, 103. 19th. Dec., 1835. Letter from J. Wynter to G. Eld, pleased the misunderstanding is over but thinking W. Grant overstepped the Charity Commission's bounds in pursuing the matter; he details the annuity-deed.

Fols. 104, 105. 13th. Mar., 1836. Letter from W. Grant to G. Eld, thankful for the corporation's co-operation over the Sir Thomas White's Charity investigation. n.d. Note by G. Eld about municipal reform.

Fols. 106, 107. 20th. Mar., 1836. Letter from same to same about legal status and charity debt.

Fol. 108. 31st. Aug., 1836. Letter from same to [same] deploring the reform party's conduct in Coventry.

Fols. 109, 110. 11th. Sept., 1836. Letter from same to same enclosing S. Smith's confidential letter about any redress for G. Eld's exclusion from charity trusteeships by the new corporation.

Fol. 111. Nov., 1837. Copy of letter from G. Eld to W. Grant about application of surplus income from Swillington's and Jesson's Charities towards establishing the [Coventry & Warwickshire Hospital], and the Parises' misbehaviour.

Fols. 112, 113. 3rd. Dec., 1837. Letter from W. Grant to G. Eld about use of charity-money for the hospital.

Fol. 114. postmarked 8th. July, 1838. Letter from T. Sheepshanks to G. Eld about the writer's conservatism, appointment of a cleric as second master, disagreement with [Revd. W. F. Hook (?)] about library books, preference that George [Eld jun.] be in his own house rather than the school, and hope to open for boarders on the 30th.

Fols. 115, 116. [1838]. Advertisement for headmastership, with rules (1833) amended as agreed by trustees on 23rd. May, 1838, and reused as draft of advertisement for second master.

Fol. 117. 23rd. May, 1838. Regulations.

1. Foundationers' admission-fees.

2. Non-foundationers' compounding with headmaster and usher for teaching.

3. Admission eligibility.

4. School hours.

5. No absence without leave.

6. Vacations and half-holidays.

7. Teaching of classes.

8. Prayers.

9. Monitors.

10. Use of dictionaries.

11. Expulsion.

12. Admission records.

13. Headmaster to send chairman of trustees a list of boys every first Tuesday in June.

14. Trustees may remove writing and singing master or other masters upon headmaster's complaint.

15. Masters to teach all pupils impartially.

16. Visitation.

17. Trustees to allot preferment upon likely boys.

18. Chairman of trustees may deal with disciplinary charges if the headmaster's attitude inappropriate.

19. Masters not to teach in their own houses.

20. Headmaster and usher need leave of absence for more than two days.

21. Boarders.

22. Singing master.

Fol. 118. 23rd. May, 1838. As above, endorsed with advertisement for second master.

Fol. 119. n.d.. T. Sheepshanks' note about attendance-hours.

Fol. 120. [1833.] Draft of fols. 19, 20.

Fols. 121, 122. "14th. Feb." Fragment about laying "whole matter" before inspectors.

Fol. 123. [1833.] Table of rentals, payments to master, usher and bailiff, and expenses, 1819-32.

Fols. 124, 125. n.d.. Letter from T. Sheepshanks to G. Eld about draining a ditch in [Silver St.].

Fol. 126. 1st. Aug., [1834]. Letter from same to [same] about inconvenience of auction on the day when he is moving house, and a boy's being bitten by a dog.

Fol. 127. n.d.. Letter from same to same about S. Paris' obstruction, non-foundationers' paying money to masters, and the usher's constitutional status.

Fol. 128. [1838.] T. Sheepshanks' notes about potential second masters.

Fol. 129. [1832.] Copy of W. Brooks' non-recognition of corporation's capacity to change rules.

Fol. 130. n.d.. Letter from W. F. Hook to G. Eld saying that the Charity Commissioners want the recipient to call on them.

Fol. 131. [1833.] Notes about school rental and salaries, endorsed with proposal that examiners should support a potential headmaster's or usher's testimonies (otherwise they would not be appointed).

Fol. 132. [1833.] Copy of letter from R. K. Rotherham (mayor) to Lord [Denbigh] about masters' obstreperousness.

Fol. 133. n.d.. Draft of letter from G. Eld to ? about Wheatley's Loan and Swillington's Charity.

Fols. 134, 135. n.d.. Draft of letter from G. Eld to [Charity Commission] about plan for Jeliffe's and Coxon's Charities, headmaster's salary, and expecting local objections to reducing the headmaster's stipend or separating his post from the St. John's rectorship (which would be more offensive locally than to a reformed Parliament).

N.d.. Copy of fol. 136.

Fol. 136. n.d.. Copy of letter from same to R. Whitcombe [Charity Commission] enclosing school rules and masters' objections.

Fols. 137, 138. [1833.] Copy of letter from T. Sheepshanks to the mayor explaining that he had withdrawn his application for the headmastership because he objects to some recently-introduced school rules which would tend to detriment of general teaching in favour of satisfying examiners, to concentration by the headmaster on his own classes, and to facilitating an appeal by a designated boy or parent to an examiner over the headmaster's head; the writer prefers examination by the headmaster in the trustees' and parents' presence and has heard bad reports about the headmaster's house; he wants to know how far the school is geared towards university entrance, the degree of examiners' contact with the school, and the possibility of rules' modification; he withdrew because he was preoccupied with outsorting his late mothers' estate.

Fol. 139. [1834.] Draft of letter by G. Eld to [Charity Commission Clerk] about Lane's, and Wheate's and Norton's, Charities.

Fol. 140. [1834.] Copy of fol. 139's final version.

Fol. 141. [Dec., 1834.] Letter from T. Sheepshanks to G. Eld about G. Eld jun.'s board and lodging.

Fol. 142. n.d.. Letter from same to [same] about an application for second mastership.

Fols. 143, 144. n.d.. Letter from same to same about a boy's going to university.

Fols. 145, 146. n.d.. Letter from same to George Osmond about S. Paris' intention to run his part of the school separately and about continuing S. S. Paris as an assistant.

Fol. 147. n.d.. Letter from same to G. Eld supporting a corporation petition.

Fols. 148, 149. [1834.] Draft of petition by the headmaster, mayor and freemen to the House of Commons about S. Paris' boys' incompetence, S. S. Paris' teaching despite Sheepshanks' objections, S. Paris' support for his son, and G. Eld's plight in having (as a freeman) a son at the school who is liable to be taught by S. Paris.

Fol. 150. [1838.] Letter from T Sheepshanks to G. Eld about selling old library books, repairing the school with profits from the booksale, and domestic matters.

Former references: A167