Catalogue description CUCKFIELD: Grammar School and National School

Documents in other West Sussex Record Office collections

Cuckfield Free Grammar School, later Cuckfield "Church" or "National" School

See also the accounts of the school in vol.II of the Victoria County History and in Canon Cooper's History of Cuckfield (1912)

Edmund Flower, citizen and merchant tailor of London, founded a Free School at Cuckfield for the education of poor scholars in the reign of Henry VIII; and by his will, dated 11 July 1521, he endowed the school with lands in Westerham, co. Kent, and also with £100, which was to be laid out upon further lands and the revenues used to maintain a schoolmaster. The schoolmaster was to be a secular priest able to teach grammar, and was to pray for the souls of Flower and his wife. In accordance with these instructions, 112a. of land in Laughton, E. Hoathly and Chiddingly were purchased with the £100, and vested in Trustees on behalf of the school. The annual income of the school was now £6.10s

On 1st November 1528, William Spicer, parson of Balcombe made the school endowments up to £11. 10s. yearly with the manor of Redstone alias Rudstone in Reigate Co. Surrey, of the annual value of £5. He also laid down detailed rules for the management of the school

It appears that this last conveyance included a clause allowing Thomas Mitchell, from whom the Manor of Redstone had been purchased, to redeem the same in return for other lands of the same yearly value, and this was in fact done, lands in W. Hoathly and Hurstpierpoint being exchanged for the manor. These lands were later seized by the Crown under the Statute of Chantries on account of being associated also with a chantry in Cuckfield church, and were subsequently granted to a Nicholas Jeff, who allowed the tenants of the lands to purchase their several holdings. After a dispute with the school Trustees these purchasers finally agreed to continue to pay annually to the school £8. 8s., the total of the rents by which they had formerly held the lands. Curiously, Redstone Manor never disappears from the Trust Deeds

On 4 October 1589, the lands left by Edmund Flower in Laughton and E. Hoathly were leased for ever to Thomas Pelham of Laughton for £80 down, and an annual payment of £20. The income of the school was now immutably fixed, and in 1819 was still only £28. 8s yearly, being £20 annually from Lord Chichester, the descendant of Thomas Pelham, and £8. 8s. yearly from: Fowlers Farm (supposedly Howlers Farm) in Cuckfield, £3 6s 8d; Hicks Farm in Twineham, £1 13s 4d.; Chates Farm in Bolney, £1 13s 4d.; Philpots Farm in W. Hoathly, £1 6s 8d.; and Strouds Farm in Cuckfield, 8s. There were also a schoolhouse and garden in Cuckfield churchyard worth an estimated £20 yearly

In 1844 as a result of discontent with the teaching and high fees of the school, an Order was obtained from the Court of Chancery re-organising it along the lines of a National School. A separate National School which had been founded in the parish in 1812 was discontinued at this time. Amongst other specific changes, Latin and Greek were dispensed with; the schoolmaster no longer had to be a cleric; fees for each child were not to exceed 1s. per week; and the vicar of Cuckfield was to have financial control

Between 1854 and 1910 the school acquired several additional properties including two cottages at the back of a house called "Floods" in Church Street, (1854), "Floods" itself (1872), and two more cottages in Church Street, (1885). In 1886 the National Society donated £15 and the school became a National School

In 1935 a scheme arose to build a Senior Council School in Cuckfield to serve the surrounding district. This was not well received by those who felt that the control of the church over local education would be seriously weakened, and the County Council conceded that if a quarter of the cost could be raised by public subscriptions before June 1940 the new school would remain a church school. An appeal was launched, but the outbreak of war put plans into abeyance and between 1946 and 1950 the money that had been collected was either returned to the contributors or used to render the new Cuckfield Voluntary Primary School in "aided" school under some measure of church supervision

In 1964 the school was again reorganised, under the control of the Chichester Diocesan Board of Finance

Trust deeds of the school, and legal papers connected with the reorganisation of the school in 1844

Par 301/25/1 1 November 1528. Copy [1718] of agreement between (a) William Spicer, clerk, parson of Balcombe, (b) the Master, Fellows and Scholars of St. Catherine Hall, Cambridge, and (c) Ninian Burrell, clerk vicar of Cuckfield, and John Mitchell, sen., John Chaloner, John Ward, John Pont, Richard Hever, Edmund Michell, Gerard Holcombe, Stephen Board, John Beachely, Thomas Stanbridge, Richard Burtenshaw, John Michell, jun., and John Beach, all of Cuckfield

Manor of Redstone in Reigate co. Surrey, of the yearly value of £5, lately purchased of Thomas Michell, gent

(a) to (c) and their heirs as Trustees on behalf of Cuckfield Free Grammar School, and on the following further trusts

(1) That the Trustees, with the Warders of the Fraternity of Our Lady in Cuckfield, and the vicar of Cuckfield and the rector of Balcombe, and with three or four of the most honest and substantial inhabitants of Cuckfield chosen by the said vicar and rector, shall administer the lands of the school and pay the schoolmaster £10 yearly from the profit

(2) That the said vicar, rector, and wardens, with three or four of the most honest and substantial inhabitants of Cuckfield, shall appoint a new schoolmaster when necessary being a secular priest and a graduate "of sufficient cunning and of good conversation", and having a benefice with non-residence so that he may always attend the school and that the master shall take his oath of office upon the Holy Evangelist, that he shall keep the ordinances of this indenture, before the said vicar or rector or before the curate of Cuckfield, whoever be present

(3) That the schoolmaster shall hold his office for life subject to good behaviour and shall teach grammar after the usage of the Grammar School at Eaton next Windsor, and shall keep those hours of learning as near as he can, attending at the school between 25 March and 29 September from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the rest of the year from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m

(4) That the schoolmaster shall have 16 days' continuous leave of absence every year, subject to the permission of the school managers and so long as he find a deputy; and that he shall also find a deputy if he fall sick

(5) That the schoolmaster shall say at least three Masses every week, of the Holy Ghost, of the Holy Trinity and of the name of John; and that at every Mass, before he washes his hands he shall say "De profundis" and shall pray especially by name for the souls of William Spicer and of his father, mother and friends, and also for all the benefactors of the school and for all Christian souls; and that he shall find at his own cost bread, wine and wax for these Masses

(6) That the schoolmaster shall give 6 months' notice before quitting his office

(7) That the scholars shall say "De profundis" every day before leaving the schoolhouse and shall pray for all the souls and benefactors aforesaid

(8) That the schoolmaster shall not be compelled to perform any of the duties of the vicar of Cuckfield

(9) And if the scholars be kept from the school by the plague, that the schoolmaster shall take them elsewhere so long as it be within ten miles of Cuckfield

(10) That the managers of the school shall pay the schoolmaster 10s. upon Easter Monday every year, for a solemn obit for the aforesaid souls in the form of "dirydge by note" on the night of Easter Monday and of a "Mass of Requiem by note" upon Easter Tuesday; and that during the said Requiem Mass, and before he washes his hands, the schoolmaster shall read aloud these ordinances from a copy of this indenture, and immediately afterwards say "De profundis" for the souls aforesaid; and that he shall distribute 3s. at his discretion to the priests, clerks and sextons present, 4d. to be offered at the Masses said or sung at the said obit, 3s..4d. to the poor and 12d. to the scholars that be present, and 2s. 4d. to himself

(11) That the schoolmaster shall take orders concerning the government of the school from none save the vicar of Cuckfield or the rector of Balcombe

(12) And if despite three warnings the schoolmaster continues to misbehave, that he shall be dismissed and a new man appointed

(13) And if a schoolmaster resigns, that the said vicar and rector shall install an able man until a new schoolmaster can be appointed and pay him as they think fit; but, if the school lacks any master at all for three months, that then the school income shall be distributed amongst the poor of Balcombe at the discretion of the rector of Balcombe

(14) And if the Fraternity of our Lady be dissolved, that then the said vicar and parson and three or four persons of Cuckfield shall choose the schoolmaster; but if they fail to do so within six months of a vacancy, that then the Master and Fellows of St. Catherine's Hall shall be permitted by the Trustees to receive the school income and use it to provide an exhibition for the education of a young man who shall pray for the souls aforesaid

(15) And if 20s. of the school income be unspent, that the parson of Balcombe shall choose and pay a scholar to see good order in the school and to say "De profundis" for the souls of William Spicer and of John and Joan his parents, daily

(16) And if the Trustees be reduced to three, that these shall appoint sixteen or eighteen discreet and honest persons of Cuckfield, Balcombe, Slaugham, Bolney, Ardingly and Lindfield as new Trustees

(c) Covenant to have a strong chest made with three locks and three keys, of which the vicar of Cuckfield, the Wardens and parishioners of Cuckfield and the rector of Balcombe shall each hold one key; and that the chest shall remain in Cuckfield church to contain the deeds of all the lands given by Edmund Flower and William Spicer

Recites that Edmund Flower, late citizen and merchant tailor of London, left lands worth £6..10s. yearly to maintain a Free Grammar School in Cuckfield under the oversight of the Fraternity of Our Lady and of the most discreet parishioners; and that he willed that the schoolmaster be a graduate, and a priest and "able to teach grammar"; and that the said endowment is not sufficient for the purpose

Memoranda

(a) That Nicholas Harvey, rector of Balcombe, and John Savage, vicar of Cuckfield, appointed John Michell sen., Thomas Michell of Worth, Edmund Michell and John Hever as coadjutors of the school, 29 Henry VIII

(b) That Edmund Coortes, vicar of Cuckfield, the rector of Balcombe being non-resident, appointed Ninian Chaloner and George Board as coadjutors of the school on 25 May 1573

Par 301/25/2,3,4 1 November 1528. Three further copies [18th cent.] of the above. [Include Schedules of lands paying rent-charge to the school]

Par 301/25/5 1 July 1543. Copy [late 17th cent] of perpetual lease, for 8s. yearly to Cuckfield Free Grammar School, from (a) John Culpeper esq., Thomas Challoner, Richard Stapley, William Fawkener and Richard Newman to (b) Thomas a Feld alias Onstye

Lands and tenements called Strodes in Cuckfield

Recites that on 14 April 1536 Thomas Michell of Worth gent., conveyed the property to (a) and others now deceased as Trustees on behalf of the school. (a) appoint John a Feld alias Onstye their attorney

Par 301/25/6 1 October 1589. Conveyance from (a) Thomas Michell of Ansty in Cuckfield gent. and William Ansty alias Holcomb of the same yeoman, to (b) John Husee, Henry Bowyer, John Michell, son and heir apparent of the said Thomas Michell, John Ward, Stephen Bord, John Michell, son and heir of John Michell dec'd, Ninian Burrell of Cuckfield gent, Gerard Ansty alias Holcomb, yeoman, son and heir apparent of the said William Ansty of Cuckfield, Walter Covert of Slaugham, Edward Culpeper of Ardingly esq., Thomas Culpeper jun. of Balcombe, gent., Thomas Chaloner of Lindfield, gent., son and heir apparent of Francis Chaloner esq., and John Langford of Bolney, yeoman

Welshreed (552 a.) in Laughton, and a messuage called Petybones and also Terbledowne croft (3 a.), Symmes and Phippes (4 a.), Fursey croft (2 a.), Byrchetwod (122 a.) Harryfeld (172 a.), Crooked croft (2 a.), and 4 a. adjoining the house formerly of Samuel Virgo, in E. Hoathly, all formerly purchased by Ninian Burrell, clerk, John Michell, John Pont and Gerard Ansty, and lately leased to John Lunsford gent., and now to Thomas Pelham esq

(a) appoint John Dumbrell and Edmund Robardes as attornies

Par 301/25/7 4 October 1589. Perpetual lease, for £20 yearly to Cuckfield Grammar School, from (a) parties (b) as in Par 301/25/6 to (b) Thomas Pelham of Laughton esq

Property as in Par 301/25/6, and also Barnefield and Holmefield (162 a.) in E. Hoathly and Laughton

Recites the will of Edmund Flower, citizen and merchant tailor of London, devising certain lands as an endowment for Cuckfield Free Grammar School and bequeathing a further ,100 to purchase land worth £5 yearly for the same purpose; and also that by deed of 17 Henry VIII Ninian Burrell, clerk, John Michell, John Pont and Gerard Ansty purchased the above lands with the said £100, and that the same lands were leased on 28 February 1556 for 31 years at £6..13s..4d. yearly to John Lunsford of E. Hoathly; and that Thomas Pelham is now occupying the lands, and that he has given £80 already to the Trustees of the school

Par 301/25/8 4 October 1589. Contemporary copy of Par 301/25/7

Par 301/25/9 2 December 1617. Conveyance from (a) Thomas Michell of Bolney gent. to (b) Roger Andrews S.T.P., vicar of Cuckfield, Sir Stephen Bord, knight, Richard Chaloner, gent., Walter Burrell, gent., Richard Wickham, Elizaeus Jennor, Richard Betcheley, William Falconer of Cuckfield, George Scott rector of Balcombe, Sir Walter Covert of Slaugham, knight, Sir John Culpeper of Ardingly, knight, John Pellat of Bolney esq., John Michell esq., and Henry Michell natural sons of (a), and John Michell son of the said John Michell

Lands called Chates in Hurstpierpoint, Hoolers and Stroodes in Cuckfield and Boortyes alias Philpottes in E. Hoathly, which (a) and also John Hussey, John Michell, Thomas Hever, Ninian Chaloner, John Hussey, jun., Ninian Ward, John Ward, William Onstye and Gerard Onstye, all now dec'd, had by feoffment of John Culpeper of Wakehurst in Ardingly esq., on 8 February 1563

(a) to (b) as Trustees on behalf of Cuckfield Grammar School

(a) Appoints his brother Edmund Michell, his son Thomas and Thomas Boxall clerk, as his attornies

Par 301/25/10,11 2 December 1617. Two contemporary copies of Par 301/25/9

Par 301/25/12 20 June 1641. Conveyance from (a) Sir John Mychell late of Cuckfield knight, John Mychell esq., son and heir apparent of the same and Walter Burrell of Cuckfield esq., surviving trustees of Cuckfield Free Grammar School, to (b) Michael Beaver and John Payne of London, gents

Manor of Redstone alias Rudstone in Reigate co. Surrey, and lands called Chates in Hurstpierpoint in occ. Edward Payne, Howlers alias Hooters in Cuckfield in occ. Edward Steele, Stroodes in Cuckfield in occ. Walter Burt, and Welshred, Pettybones, Terbledownecroft, Fursey croft, Birchett wood, Sims, Phipps, Barnefield, Holmefield, Harryfield and Crooked croft (75 a. total) in E. Hoathly and Laughton in occ. Sir Thomas Pelham, and Barties alias Philpottes in E. Hoathly in occ. Thomas Cumber; together with annual rents of £5 from Redstone manor, £3. 6s. 8d. from Chates; £3. 6s. 8d. from Howlers; 8s. from Stroodes; £20 from the lands in E. Hoathly and Laughton and £1. 6s. 8d. from Barties

(b) Covenant to reconvey the above to (a) and others whom (a) shall nominate before the end of the Trinity Term

Par 301/25/13 2 July 1641. Bargain and sale for a certain sum from (a) parties (b) as in Par 301/25/12 to (b) Sir William Colepeper of Ardingly bart. and Benjamin Colepeper his son and heir apparent, Sir Thomas Hendley of Cuckfield knight, and Bowyer Hendley his son and heir apparent, Sir John Mychell late of Cuckfield knight, and John Mychell his son and heir apparent, James Marsh D.D., vicar of Cuckfield, Henry Wiston clerk rector of Balcombe, John Boord of Cuckfield esq., and William Boord his son and heir apparent, Walter Burrell of Cuckfield esq., and Walter Burrell his son and heir apparent, Thomas Challoner of Lindfield esq., and John Challenor his son and heir apparent, Henry Ward of Bolney gent Herbert Boord of Lindfield gent. and George Boord his son and heir apparent, Robert Spence of Balcombe gent., and William Spence his son and heir apparent, John Warden of Cuckfield, yeoman, and John Warden his son and heir apparent, and Henry Mitchell, of Cuckfield, yeoman, and John Mitchell his son and heir apparent

Property as in Par 301/25/12

(a) to (b) as Trustees on behalf of Cuckfield Grammar School. Recites Par 301/25/12

Par 301/25/14 2 July 1641. Counterpart of Par 301/25/13

Par 301/25/15 10 January 1689/90. Conveyance from (a) William Board sen. of Borde Hill in Cuckfield esq., surviving Trustee of Cuckfield Grammar School, to (b) Sir William Culpeper of Ardingly bart., John Board of Lindfield esq., and John Board his son and heir apparent, Joseph Shidley of Lindfield, gent and Nathaniel Shidley his son and heir apparent, Thomas Burrell of Lindfield gent. and Walter Burrell his son and heir apparent, Francis Wyatt of Horsted Keynes gent., John Spence jun., of S. Malling, gent., Timothy Burrell of Cuckfield esq., William Snatt clerk, vicar of Cuckfield, William Board jun., gent., son and heir apparent of (a) John Board second son of (a) Henry Ives of Cuckfield gent., and Thomas Ives his son and heir apparent, John Warden of Cuckfield gent. and John Warden his son and heir apparent, John Bray of Balcombe, yeoman, and Henry Bray his son and heir apparent, and Timothy Parker clerk, rector of Balcombe

Property as in Par 301/25/13

(a) to (b) as Trustees on behalf of Cuckfield Grammar School

Par 301/25/16 10 January 1689/90. Counterpart of Par 301/25/15

Par 301/25/17 1 January 1745/6. Conveyance for 5s. from (a) Thomas Ives of Cuckfield gent., only surviving Trustee of Cuckfield Grammar School, to (b) Thomas Sergison of Cuckfield Place esq., Francis Warden of Butler's Green esq., John Warden esq., Michael Warden gent., Abraham Lucas gent., Henry Gatland gent., and Daniel Walter, vicar of Cuckfield, all of Cuckfield, John Chatfield, rector of Balcombe, Timothy Burrell of Lindfield clerk, Rt. Hon. Richard Liddell of Wakehurst in Ardingly esq., Charles Liddell of the same, clerk, John Dennett of Bolney gent., and Richard Stepley gent., Jonathan Becheley gent., Robert Norden gent. and Peter Burrell esq., all of Cuckfield

Manor of Redstone alias Rudstone in Reigate co. Surrey, and the lands called Chates in Hurstpierpoint formerly in occ. Edward Payne, Howlers alias Hooters in Cuckfield, formerly in occ. Edward Steele, Stroodes in Cuckfield, formerly in occ. Walter Burt and also lands in E. Hoathly and Laughton, formerly in occ. Sir Thomas Pelham and now the estate of the most noble Rt. Hon. Thomas Holles, Duke of Newcastle or of the Rt. Hon. Henry Pelham esq., Chancellor and Undertreasurer of the Court of Exchequer, and Barties alias Philpotts in W. Hoathly, in occ. Thomas Cumber; also annual rent charge from the above as in Par 301/25/12

(a) to (b) as Trustees on behalf of Cuckfield Grammar School

Par 301/25/18 1 January 1745/6. Counterpart of Par 301/25/17

Par 301/25/19 Order of Chancery and related docs. reforming the Grammar School, 1844; also agreement of the School Managers to run the school in union with the National Society, 1886. (4 docs.)

Par 301/25/20 Pubic Record Office transcripts of the above, made for Rev. J. Cooper of Cuckfield, 1902. (6 docs.)

Par 301/25/21 List of deeds concerning the school, 1865. (1 doc.)

Deeds from 1675 of "Floods" in Church St. Cuckfield, acquired by the school in 1872; and of two cottages behind "Floods" acquired in 1854

Par 301/25/22 16 April 1675. Deed to lead the uses of a fine between (a) John Wood barber, and Eleanor his wife, Anne Challoner widow of Thomas Challoner gent. dec'd, and William Challoner barber, son of the said Thomas, and Helen his wife, and (b) Thomas Burrell gent., and John Stone mercer, all of Cuckfield

(1) The West House and the West Gardens in Cuckfield, in occ. of the said John Wood, George Salter gent. and Stephen Jenner, carpenter adjoining W. the lands of Timothy Burrell called Ockenden, E. the highway, N. the lane from the highway to Sandbourne and S. the tenement of Edward Osborne and Mary his wife, sometime called Ilmans

(2) Messuage, backside, stable and garden called Floods in Cuckfield, in occ. Thomas Savage, adjoining N., a copyhold tenement of Stephen Wood; E., the street leading to Cuckfield church, and S. and W., the Free School and churchyard of Cuckfield

(1) To be to the use of Thomas Burrell and (2) to the use of John Stone

Par 301/25/23 Easter 1675. Final Concord. Parties as in Par 301/25/22

Two messuages, one barn, two stables, two gardens and 1a. in Cuckfield

Par 301/25/24 13 May 1712. Mortgage (demise for 1000 years) for £50 from (a) John Stone, yeoman, to (b) John Marten, husbandman, both of Cuckfield. Messuage etc. called Floods situate at the church gate in Cuckfield, in occ. Jacob Stone, adjoining N. a copyhold tenement late of Stephen Wood and now of Thomas Tidy, and E. S. and W as in Par 301/25/22

Par 301/25/25,26 26,27 March 1724. Conveyance (lease and release) between (a) John Stone, yeoman, (b) Jacob Stone only son of (a) and (c) Alan Patsons, tailor, all of Cuckfield

Property as in Par 301/25/24

(a) to (c) to the use of (a) for life and thereafter of (b)

(b) Discharges (a) of a debt of £40

Par 301/25/27 9 June 1729. Deed to lead the uses of a fine between (a) Jacob Stone of Cuckfield, butcher, and Mary his wife, Samuel Clarke of Horsham, blacksmith, and Sarah his wife, and James Burstow of the same also blacksmith and Elizabeth his wife, and (b) Richard Lamb of Horsham, brewer, Edward Jenden of the same, "corrier" [? carrier] and Richard King of Par 301/25/27 Rudgwick, yeoman

(1) Messuage etc., called Floods situate at the church gate in Cuckfield, in occ. the said Jacob Stone and Mary Standen and adjoining N. a copyhold tenement late of Stephen Wood and E. S. and W. as in Par 301/25/22

(2) Messuage, garden and backside in the Scarfox [Carfax] of Horsham, formerly in occ. John Gurney and now of the said Samuel Clarke, adjoining W. the lands taken out of the waste of the said borough, formerly of Matthew Bennett and now of Richard Dendy, S. the messuage garden and backside formerly of Bartholomew Sayers and now of Richard Honywood, E. another part of the borough waste and N. the messuage garden and backside formerly of Thomas Lillington dec'd and now of Zachariah Miles

(3) Messuage, shop, stable, garden and orchard in East Street, Horsham, late in occ. the said James Burstow and now of Samuel Clarke, John Nye and Elizabeth Smith

(1) To be to the use of Richard Lamb, (2) to the use of Edward Jenden until a debt of £25 be repaid and thereafter to the use of Sarah Clarke and (3) to the use of Richard King until a debt of £100 be repaid and thereafter to the use of James Burstow and Elizabeth his wife

Par 301/25/28,29 2,3, July 1729. Conveyance (lease and release) for £120 from (a) Jacob Stone of Cuckfield, butcher, and Mary his wife to (b) Richard Lamb of Horsham, yeoman

"Floods" as in Par 301/25/27

(b) Pays (a) £65 and agrees to pay John Marten, as in Par 301/25/24, £55

Par 301/25/30 3 July 1729. Assignment of term of years for £55 between (a) John Marten of Cuckfield, husbandman, (b) Jacob Stone of the same, only son of John Stone late of Cuckfield, yeoman, dec'd, and Richard Lamb of Horsham, yeoman, and (c) John Wicker esq., and Thomas Parham gent, both of Horsham

Property as in Par 301/25/24

(a) to (c) at the discretion of Jacob Stone, and in trust for Richard Lamb

Recites Par 301/25/24

Par 301/25/31 Michaelmas 1729. Final Concord. Parties as in Par 301/25/27

Three messuages, two barns, three stables, three gardens and two orchards in Cuckfield and Horsham

Par 301/25/32,33 10,11 April 1760. Conveyance (lease and release) for £103 from (a) Richard Lamb of Horsham, yeoman, to (b) Stephen Peters of Cuckfield, cordwainer

Messuage etc., called Floods, situate at the church gate in Cuckfield, in occ. William Lamb

Par 301/25/34 11 April 1760. Bond in £206 of (a) to (b) as in Par 301/25/32,33 to fulfil the terms of the same

Par 301/25/35 6 January 1783. Mortgage (demise for 1000 years) for £50 from (a) Stephen Peters, yeoman, only son and heir of Stephen Peters, cordwainer, dec'd. and Mary his wife, to (b) Henry Dungate, gent., all of Cuckfield

Messuage etc., called Floods situate at the church gate in Cuckfield, now in occ. the said Stephen Peters, James Gallard and John Cripps, adjoining N. a copyhold property of Mary Wood, and E.S. and W. as in Par 301/25/22

Par 301/25/36,37 24,25 February 1802. Conveyance of mortgage property (lease and release) for £155, remortgage of the property for £70, and deed to lead the uses of a fine, between (a) Stephen Peters late of Cuckfield but now of Fletching, yeoman, only son and heir of Stephen Peters late of Cuckfield, cordwainer, dec'd, and Mary his wife, (b) Henry Dungate of Cuckfield, gent, (c) William Pierce of Hurstpierpoint, cordwainer, and (d) Mary Hart of Cuckfield, widow

Messuage etc., called Floods situate at the church gate in Cuckfield, now in occ. Joseph Whittingham, James Browne, James Haselgrove and Edward Norris jun., and adjoining N. a copyhold property late of Mary Wood, and E.S. and W. as in Par 301/25/22

(a) Conveys the freehold and (b) assigns the unexpired term of the leasehold to (c), who will hold the property until (d) repays a debt of £70

Recites Par 301/25/35, and that (a) had agreed to sell to (d), who has had to remortgage the property to (c) in order to raise the purchase money

Par 301/25/38,39 Easter 1802. Final concord and counterpart. Parties (a) and (c) as in Par 301/25/36,37

Messuage, stable and garden in Cuckfield

Par 301/25/40 25 August 1803. Additional mortgage for £30 from (a) Mary Hart of Cuckfield, widow, to (b) William Pierce of Hurstpierpoint, cordwainer

Recites Par 301/25/37

Par 301/25/41,42 24,25 September 1807. Assignment of mortgage (lease and release) for £100, with additional borrowing of £30, between (a) William Pierce of Hurstpierpoint, cordwainer, (b) Mary Hart of Cuckfield, widow, and (c) George Cornwall of Henfield, cooper

Messuage etc., called Floods situate at the church gate in Cuckfield, now in occs. Walter Picknall, John Broad, James Haselgrove, George Webber and Robert Hart, and adjoining as in Par 301/25/37

(a) to (c) at the request of (b), who borrows an additional £30

Recites Par 301/25/37, Par 301/25/40

Par 301/25/43,44 5, 6 October 1810. Conveyance (lease and release) for £300 between (a) Mary Hart of Cuckfield, widow, (b) Elizabeth Martin of Henfield, widow, executrix of George Cornwall late of Henfield, cooper, dec'd, and Thomas Cornwall of Henfield, labourer, only brother and heir of the deceased, and (c) William Pierce of Cuckfield, cordwainer

Messuage etc., called Floods situate at the church gate in Cuckfield, in occs. the said Mary Hart, William Pierce, Robert Hart and John Broad, and adjoining as in Par 301/25/37

(b) to (c) at the request of (a)

Recites preceding docs

Par 301/25/45,46 11,12 November 1816. Mortgage (lease and release) for £150 from (a) William Pierce of W. Hoathly, cordwainer, to (b) William Holliday of Merstham co. Surrey, shopkeeper

Messuage, shop, backside, stable and garden called Floods situate at the church gate in Cuckfield, in occs. Mary Hart, Henry Holt and John Broad

Par 301/25/47,48 22,23 September 1817. Conveyance of equity of redemption (lease and release) for £150, and deed to lead the uses of a fine, between (a) William Pierce of W. Hoathly, cordwainer, and Lydia his wife, (b) Thomas Burt of Reigate co. Surrey, gent., and (c) William Burt of Courtlodge in Nutfield co. Surrey, gent., Trustee of (b)

Messuage, shop etc. called Floods, now divided into several tenements, situate at the church gate in Cuckfield, in occs. Mary Hart, Robert Hart, John Gatford and John Board

(a) to (c) to the use of (b) for life in order to bar dower, and thereafter to the heirs of (b)

Recites Par 301/25/45,46

Includes extract from burial register of Cuckfield for 1820

Par 301/25/49 30 July 1821. Limited letters of administration granted to William Nettlefold of Clement's Inn co. Middx. gent. of the goods of Thomas Parham of Horsham, gent. dec'd, so far as they concern "Floods" in Cuckfield

Recites Par 301/25/24, Par 301/25/30, and that Thomas Parham the survivor of the Trustees there mentioned has since died intestate; and that Thomas Burt, who has since acquired the freehold of "Floods", has not legal title to it for want of a representative of the said Thomas Parham to assign the remainder of the term of 1000 years, and that he has nominated William Nettlefold for this purpose

Par 301/25/50,51 16,17 August 1821. Conveyance of mortgaged property (lease and release) for £355 between (a) William Holliday of Merstham, shopkeeper, (b) Thomas Burt of Reigate, gent, (c) William Burt of Court Lodge, Nutfield, gent, (d) Thomas Broad, servant of Joseph Johnson of Ifield, innholder, and (e) James Holliday of Reigate, innholder, all of co. Surrey

Messuage, shop, pits, backside, garden and stable situate at the church gate in Cuckfield, in occs. Mary Hart, Robert Hart, John Galford and John Broad

(a), (b) and (c) to (e) to the use of (d) for life in order to bar dower, and thereafter to the heirs of (d)

Recites preceding docs

Includes letter concerning the title of the property

Par 301/25/52 17 August 1821. Assignment of term of years between (a) William Nettlefold of Clement's Inn co. Middx. gent, administrator of the goods of Thomas Parham late of Horsham, gent. dec'd, (b) Thomas Burt of Reigate co. Surrey, gent. (c) Thomas Broad, servant to Joseph Johnson of Ifield, innholder, (d) James Relf of Reigate, innholder. (a) to (d) at the direction of (b) and in trust for (c)

Recites preceding docs

Par 301/25/53,54 13,14 April 1825. Conveyance (lease and release) for £450 between (a) Thomas Broad of Merton co. Surrey, stage coachman, (b) William Broad of Dorking co. Surrey, also stage coachman, and (c) James Relf of Reigate co. Surrey, innholder

Messuage, shop, stable, backside and garden called Floods, now divided into three tenements, situate at the church gate in Cuckfield, and now in occs. ---- Jenkins, Sarah Alford and Henry Allett, and two messuages lately erected on ground lately pits belonging to "Floods", in occs. William Purser and William Smith

(a) to (c) to the use of (b) for life and thereafter to the heirs of (b)

Recites preceding docs

Par 301/25/55,56 2,3, November 1836. Conveyance (lease and release) for £400 between (a) William Broad of Dorking co. Surrey, stage coachman, (b) Charles Juniper of Cuckfield, innkeeper, (c) Lovel Byass of the same, surgeon

Messuage, shop, stable, backside and garden called Floods, now divided into three tenements, situate at the church gate in Cuckfield, in occ. Widow Penfold and John Elliott: and two cottages late in occ. William Purser and John Smith and now of Widow Purser and John Ede

(a) to (c) to the use of (b) for life and thereafter to the heirs of (b)

Par 301/25/57 3 November 1836. Assignment of term of years between (a) George Clode of Bishopsgate St, London, wine merchant, and Edward Turner of Reigate co. Surrey, veterinary surgeon, executors of James Relf late of Reigate, innholder, dec'd, (b) William Broad of Dorking co. Surrey, stage coachman, (c) Charles Juniper of Cuckfield, innkeeper, (d) Samuel Waller of the same, gent

Property as in Par 301/25/56

(a) to (d) to the use of (c) at the direction of (b)

Par 301/25/58 20 March 1854. Conveyance for £100 from (a) Charles Juniper of Cuckfield, innkeeper, to (b) Rev. Thomas Astly Maberly, M.A., vicar of Cuckfield and his successors

Two cottages erected on ground formerly pits situate at the Church gate in Cuckfield, late in occ. Widow Purser and John Ede; with the ground at the back of the same and between them and the wall of the school house of Cuckfield; and with the piece of ground 5 feet wide adjoining S. the wall of the forecourt of the said school house

To be used either along, or as an extension of the present schoolhouse, as a site for a school for the poor of Cuckfield and for the residence of the teacher, and for the garden or playground of the school, or for one of these purposes; which school shall be conducted according to the principles of the Established Church

Includes marginal plan and schedule of deeds from 1803

Par 301/25/59 9 March 1869. Conveyance for £300 from (a) Thomas Batchelor, farmer, James Burster, also farmer, and Thomas Broomfield Penfold, yeoman, devises in trust of Charles Juniper late of Cuckfield, gent, dec'd, to (b) Rev. Thomas Astly Maberly, clerk, M.A., vicar of Cuckfield

Messuage, divided into three tenements, called Floods or Dragon House, situate the W. side of Church St. Cuckfield, with the yard, well and outbuildings belonging, in occs. Widow Elliott, William Bleach and John White as weekly tenants, and formerly described as in Par 301/25/56

Par 301/25/60 31 December 1872. Conveyance for £300 from (a) Rev. T.A. Maberly of Cuckfield Vicarage, clerk, to (b) vicar and churchwardens of Cuckfield

Property as in Par 301/25/59, but in occs. Widow Elliott, William Bleach and Peter Bleach

On trust that the above property be ever after used as a school, in union with the National Society, for the education of children or of children and adults of the labouring, manufacturing and other poorer classes of Cuckfield; and if in the future a School Board be formed to include Cuckfield so that the above property ceases to be used as a school, a further trust that the same shall continue as a Sunday School for educating the poor according to the principles of the Established Church

Includes marginal plan

Agreement of the school Trustees to purchase two cottages in Church St. 1885

Par 301/25/61,62 16 June 1885. Two copies of agreement between (a) William Henry Bray of San Francisco U.S.A., Joseph Bacon Jeffery of 3 Pepys Road, New Cross co. Surrey, gent, and Thomas Bunting of Cuckfield, gent. and (b) rev. Francis John Mount, clerk, Warden Sergison, esq., and Richard Alexander Bevan, esq., all of Cuckfield, Thomas Thompson Cunliffe Lister of Borde Hill, Cuckfield, esq., and Thomas Astley Maberley, esq. and Edward Waugh, gent, both of Cuckfield, being the trustees of Cuckfield National School

Two cottages and yards on the W. side of Church St., Cuckfield, in occ. ------ Mitchell and ------ Goddard

(a) To sell to (b); (b) to have immediate possession, but to pay yearly to Emma Bray widow of Henry Bray late of Cuckfield, dec'd, £16 during her life, and thereafter £300 to (a) as purchase money, whereupon (a) will execute a conveyance of the property to (b)

Papers concerning the administration of the school

Par 301/25/63 Receipt to Walter Burt of Cuckfield from John Kendall of the same, schoolmaster, for 2s. quarterly rent, 1620. (1 doc.)

Par 301/25/64 Proceedings at Cuckfield before Sir Walter Covert, Sir John Shurley, Sir Edward Culpeper, Edward Michell, Thomas Aynscombe, Stephen West and George Carleton, Bishop of Chichester, Commissioners for Charitable Uses, 1620 [Include sheriff's precept, jury list and the findings of the jury, viz. that Bartyes alias Philpottes in W. Hoathly were not given to maintain Cuckfield Grammar School, and that certain lands in Ditchling were given to maintain Ditchling Church]. (1 file)

Par 301/25/65 Letter from Sir John Mychell to the other Trustees of Cuckfield School, Thomas Chaloner and Walter Burrell, complaining of the appointment of a new schoolmaster without their approval; also Challoners covering letter to Burrell, 1637; also transcripts of the same (19th cent.) (4 docs.)

Par 301/25/66 Notes about the school, n.d. [18th century] (1 doc.)

Par 301/25/67 Copies of the bead-roll to be said at Mass by the schoolmaster of Cuckfield School, and of the schoolmaster's oath of office; also detail about the education to be given to the scholars, with the text-books to be used at each stage, n.d. [18th cent.] (1 doc.)

Par 301/25/68 List of documents concerning the school, with notes by the schoolmaster 1799. (1 doc.)

Par 301/25/69 Appointments by the vicar of Cuckfield of electors for choosing the schoolmaster, with elections of schoolmasters and some receipts for rents, 1786-1844; lists of schoolmasters 1871-1924, and of schoolmistresses for the girls' dept. 1864-1909; also historical notes concerning the Grammar School from 1844 and the other, national School founded in 1812 and closed in 1845. (1 vol.)

Par 301/25/70 Copy of return made to the Bishop of Chichester of parish schools, 1807. (3 docs)

Par 301/25/71 Managers' Minutes, 1878-1894. (1 vol.)

Par 301/25/72 Managers' Minutes, 1895-1902. (1 vol.)

Par 301/25/73 Managers' Minutes, 1902-1903. (1 vol.)

Par 301/25/74 Managers' Minutes, 1903-1907. (1 vol.)

Par 301/25/75 Annual Reports, 1906, 1908-1912, 1914-1935. (1 bdl.)

Par 301/25/76 Correspondence, testimonials, etc., concerning the appointment of Miss Aline Egginton as Assistant Mistress, 1915. (6 docs.)

Par 301/25/77 Correspondence, testimonials etc., concerning the appointment of Major G.E. Glenister as Headmaster, 1923. (21 docs.)

Par 301/25/78 Correspondence concerning the claim of the L.E.A. to a threequarters share of the school endowments under the 1902 Education Act, 1905-1907. (13 docs.)

Par 301/25/79 Correspondence concerning the redemption of rents payable by the school to the Earl of Radnor, 1906-1907. (3 docs.)

Par 301/25/80 Correspondence concerning the redemption of rents payable to the school, 1913-1915. (26 docs.)

Par 301/25/81 Investment papers [War Stock] 1918-1932. (7 docs.)

Par 301/25/82 Correspondence concerning the proposed purchase by the school of Harts Plat (3a.) on the W. side of Cuckfield churchyard. Includes plan, 1897. (11 docs.)

Par 301/25/83 Estimates and plans for proposed alterations to school drainage, 1893-1909. (6 docs.)

Par 301/25/84 Correspondence with architects, tenders and bills, concerning enlargement of playground and alterations to school drains, 1910-1911. (17 docs.)

Par 301/25/85 Fire Insurance policies for school buildings and contents, 1905-1923. (4 docs.)

Par 301/25/86 Valuation of the school site under the 1910 Finance Act, 1914. (2 docs.)

Par 301/25/87 Trust deed and related papers of the Robert Fisher Prize Fund for Biblical Knowledge, 1915-1935. (6 docs.)

Par 301/25/88 Newspaper cuttings concerning the history of the school from Mid-Sussex Times, 1922. (1 doc.)

Par 301/25/89 Contract for school cleaning, 1927. (1 doc.)

Par 301/25/90 Correspondence concerning County Council proposals for a Senior Council School in Cuckfield and the possibility of providing a Senior Church School by voluntary subscriptions as an alternative, 1935. (1 bdl.)

Par 301/25/91 Correspondence and financial papers concerning the fund-raising for the new Cuckfield District Senior Church School, with circular outlining the scheme, 1937-1940. (1 bdl.)

Par 301/25/92 Papers concerning the disposal of funds contributed to the proposed Cuckfield District Senior Church School, 1946-1950. (1 bdl.)

Par 301/25/93 Account Book of Cuckfield District Senior Church School Building Fund, 1937-1947. (1 vol.)

Par 301/25/94 Cheque-book and pages from Bank Book and Paying-in Book of the same, 1937-1946. (3 docs.)

Par 301/25/95 Correspondence concerning reorganisation of the school under the control of Chichester Diocesan Board of Finance, 1964. (4 docs.)

The following deed perhaps relates to that National School in Cuckfield, founded in 1812 and closed in 1845, referred to in Par 301/25/69

Par 301/25/99 7 September 1816. Lease for 99 years at 1s. Yearly from (a) Rev. Joseph Francis Fearon of Cuckfield, clerk, Lord of the Manor of Cuckfield Vicarage, to (b) Thomas Cecil Grainger of Bridge House, esq., Joseph Baker of Bolnore, esq., Faulkner Best, innkeeper, and John Champion Waller gent., of Cuckfield

Piece of land in Cuckfield, measuring 180 ft. from North to South and 20 ft. from East to West, part of the waste or the manor of Cuckfield Vicarage, adjoining East copyhold lands of the said manor called Hardings, West the Turnpike road from Cuckfield to London, and North and South other parts of the waste of the said manor; on which it is intended to build two rooms, to be used as a National School for educating poor children in the Madras System as established by the Rev. Dr. Bell

Par 301/25/100 Cuttings from Cuckfield Parish Magazine concerning schools, 1897-1903 and n.d. (12 docs.)

Par 301/25/101 Letters concerning the attendance of children at church during school hours, May 1912. (3 docs.)

Par 301/25/102 Forms of consent for works in the playground by the Post Office 1913, 1934. (2 docs.)

WSRO Library Cuckfield Church Schools, their origin and history by W. Herrington, 1922

E/301/6/1-4 was deposited by the Public Record Office, London, on 5th October 1965 in the East Sussex Record Office and transferred from the East Sussex Record Office in June 1975 to the West Sussex Record Office. [former reference: D/679/19/11].

The original Grammar School was converted into a National School in 1844. For fuller details see below.