Page:A History of Horncastle from the Earliest Period to the Present Time.djvu/127

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CHAPTER VII.

WATSON'S FREE SCHOOL.

EXT in importance to the Grammar School, and prior to the existence of the two well appointed National Schools, Church and Wesleyan, possibly even of greater utility than at present, is Watson's Free Infant School; the founder of which placed it under the control of the Grammar School Governors.

The title deeds of this Institution are in the keeping of Mr. H. Tweed, Solicitor, who is Clerk to the Governors; and from these we gather the following particulars of its history. Richard Watson in the latter half of the 18th century was a resident in, and a native of, Horncastle, being the son of James Watson, who had made money by tanning, at that time a staple business in the town. Although engaged in trade he ranked with the resident gentry, his sister, Frances, marrying James Conington, Esq., belonging to a family of good position, not only in the town, but in the county; members of which have also distinguished themselves at the Universities, the name still surviving. She is referred to in an Indenture of date 22nd Sept., 25 George III. (1785), as "Frances Conington, of Boston, widow, formerly Frances Watson, spinster, surviving sister and heir of Richard Watson, late of Horncastle, gent., deceased, tanner, and his wife Elizabeth." By her marriage she had a son Francis Conington, who as nephew of Richard Watson, was the sole executor of his will and testament. The principal deed has the following external inscription: "Title deeds of the school, signed, sealed and delivered, by Benjamin Handley (afterwards called "of New Sleaford,^[1] in the presence of Williom Swallow,^[2] supervisor, and Abraham Hanson, of Horncastle."

↑ The firm of Handley were Solicitors, of Sleaford. Their recent representative was a member of the Banking Company of Peacock, Handley & Co. Henry Handley, Esq., represented South Lincolnshire in Parliament during 9 years, after the passing of the Reform Bill, dying in 1846, much regretted, after a long illness. As a memorial of his public services a statue of him was erected in the main street of Sleaford in 1851, costing upward of £1,000.
↑ The Swallows were a well-to-do family in Horncastle, living in the same part of the town as Mr. Watson, and the Coningtons. Members of it, within memory, have been farmers, nurserymen, victuallers, &c.

[1] The firm of Handley were Solicitors, of Sleaford. Their recent representative was a member of the Banking Company of Peacock, Handley & Co. Henry Handley, Esq., represented South Lincolnshire in Parliament during 9 years, after the passing of the Reform Bill, dying in 1846, much regretted, after a long illness. As a memorial of his public services a statue of him was erected in the main street of Sleaford in 1851, costing upward of £1,000.

[2] The Swallows were a well-to-do family in Horncastle, living in the same part of the town as Mr. Watson, and the Coningtons. Members of it, within memory, have been farmers, nurserymen, victuallers, &c.

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