Grace's High School / Commercial School (1812-1898)

By Ed Grimsdale

Daniel Grace took over Henry Stubbings' Winslow Academy / Winslow School in 1812:

Northampton Mercury, 4 July 1812
D.GRACE
BEGS Leave to offer his most grateful Thanks to his Friends for the liberal Support he has experienced since his Commencement in Partnership with Mr. STUBBINGS ; and respectfully informs them and the Public in general, that he separately carries on the above Profession, where all future Favours will be thankfully received, and every Attention paid, to the Health, Minds, and Morals of those Children who are entrusted to his Charge.
N.B. – SCHOOL will Re-open on MONDAY the 20th of JULY instant.

Daniel Grace must have maintained the goodwill that the partnership enjoyed for he advertised for an extra teacher in September 1813:

WANTED immediately, an ASSISTANT in a SCHOOL, A YOUNG MAN, qualified to teach Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, and the English Grammar; if he has a Knowledge of the Latin Language, it will render him more eligible. He must be well recommended for Sobriety, Affability of Disposition, as well as expected to assist in forming the Minds of the Pupils.
N.B. Apply personally or by Letter, Post-Paid, to D. Grace, Academy, Winslow, Bucks.

Grace went into partnership for a time with a Cambridge student, William Henry Bond from Oving (he was admitted to Queens' College in 1826 but did not graduate until 1832, after which he pursued a career in the church, so he was probably teaching in Winslow in 1827 and 1828):

1827, 29 Dec: Bucks Chronicle
Education at Winslow
Mr D. Grace and Mr W.H. Bond of Queens College, Cambridge, impressed with the deepest sense of gratitude to their friends for the liberal support they have experienced since their removal to their present airy and commodious House, beg leave to inform them and the Public that they have vacancies for a few more pupils
TERMS.- For Board and an English Education,
            Under 10 years of age                                22 guineas per annum.
            Above 10 years of age                                24 guineas per annum.
Merchants’ Accounts, Mathematics &c., 10s. 6d.)
Latin and Greek Languages,                 £1. 1s. ) per quarter extra.
Washing,                                                10s. 6d.)
References are most kindly permitted to the following highly respectable Clergymen:-
            The Rev. J. Preedy, Vicar of Winslow.
            The Rev. H. St.John Bullen, Rector of Dunton, Bucks.
            The Rev. H. Tattam, Rector of St. Cuthbert’s, Bedford.
            The Rev. J. Bosworth, vicar of Little Horwood, Bucks.
The DUTIES of the SEMINARY will be resumed on MONDAY, JANUARY 21st, 1828.

The removal was to Brook Hall in Sheep Street. Numbers of pupils may have continued to disappoint Mr Grace who placed these words in the Bucks Herald on 11 July 1835:

Academy, WINSLOW,
_____
MR. D. GRACE,

BEGS leave to inform his Friends and the Public, that in consequence of the depression in the price of Provisions, he has lowered his terms to the moderate charge of EIGHTEEN GUINEAS per annum, including Board and Education in every branch necessary for Trade or Business.
The Rudiments of the Latin and Greek Languages, Mathematics, Practical Surveying, &c., will be charged extra.
Pupils under twelve years of age, Sixteen Guineas per annum. Expenses of Books and Stationary [sic] very moderate.
Mr. G. feels assured that the long experience he has had, and the numerous improvements he has introduced into his establishment, for the expediting and perfecting the Education of Youth, will give general satisfaction to any Parent or Guardian, who may think proper to make a trial of his School.
N.B. The next Quarter commences July 20, 1835.

The school hosted public lectures by Elkanah Slatterie, a touring speaker who later published A Brief Account of Mesmeric-Phrenology.

Bucks Herald, 1 Oct 1836
Mr. E. Slatterie delivered a series of Four Lectures on Elocution, at Mr. Grace's School-Room, Winslow, during the past week. They were attended by a very respectable audience, who appeared highly gratified by the very clear and comprehensive manner in which he elucidated the principles of this important science; the various parts were ably explained and illustrated, as well as enlivened, by the occasional introduction of 'well-selected anecdotes', thereby connecting the pleasing with the more essential parts of the science. Mr. Slatterie will deliver lectures on Elocution at the Town Hall, Aylesbury, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday next.

The Bucks Herald published the following lines on 10 April 1841. They attest to Daniel Grace’s position in the community:

WINSLOW
There are few places in which parochial affairs are conducted with less acrimony and party feeling than in the above village. – “bear and forbear” appears to be the judicious and conciliating motto that influences most of its inhabitants. In conformity with this “noiseless tenor of their way”, which almost invariably marks the proceedings of the parishioners in the regulation of their internal polity, they have elected , without contention, their Guardians of the Poor for the ensuing year, viz. : Mr Daniel Grace, schoolmaster, and Mr Samuel Cole, farmer, individuals well qualified to sustain the duties of this office.

Daniel Grace was an active Anglican, and a leader in the affairs of Winslow Parish Church. At a Deanery Conference held in Winslow in 1840 to promote the cause of the National Society that espoused the Church of England’s educational principles, his school was mentioned in connection with a proposed resolution “That the Board of Education recently established in this County, in union with the Incorporated National Society, is deserving of the sympathy and support of all friends to education on sound religious principles.”

The Rev. Geo. W. Sandy, Secretary to the Deanery Board supported the resolution. … In the town of Winslow, a schoolmaster, (Mr Grace) had put his school in connexion with the National Society.

The school moved to the High Street c.1842. Read about the new building, later known as Arundel House. By 1848, Winslow Academy was under the partnership of “Messrs Grace and Son”. Daniel Grace had retired by 1851, when he is listed as a farmer. John Grace aged 31 was "Master of a Private Commercial School". He had 2 resident teachers and 16 boarders aged between 8 and 16, including two French boys. The school became known as the “Classical and Commercial School founded 1812”, the date when Daniel Grace acquired it from his former employer Henry Watkins Stubbings.

Oxford Chronicle, 31 Aug 1850:

A silver tea-pot of handsome make, and bearing the following inscription, has been presented to Mr. Grace, of Winslow, on retiring from his scholastic duties, after 36 years active labour:- “Presented to Mr. Daniel Grace, on retiring from his scholastic duties, by his former pupils, as a token of regard and esteem.”

Bucks Herald, 9 July 1859:

Winslow Classical and Commercial School.
Terms, 20 Guineas per Annum.
Under 12 Years of Age, 18 Guineas per Annum.

THE course of Instruction carried out by Mr. JOHN GRACE, comprises a sound, liberal, Commercial Education, with Mathematics, Practical Surveying, French and Latin, in a manner highly qualified for expanding the Youthful mind.
Scholastic Duties will be resumed on MONDAY, JULY 25th, 1859.

Henry Arthur Jones the future playwright attended the school from 1859. According to his reminiscences, quoted by his daughter Doris Arthur Jones (Taking the Curtain Call, p.7):

When I was ten years old, my daily routine in the summer months was to go to the excellent town school at six a.m. and to have lessons till seven. I then went home to breakfast. Breakfast over, I was sent round the town with a large milk-can to sell our surplus supply of milk at a penny a pint. I had to be back in school at a quarter to nine. I went home to midday dinner, and had to be in school again at a quarter to two. Afternoon school finished at four, and I went home to tea ... Then came the rush hour, for I had again to divert myself from learning to my alternative occupation of selling milk, and after that to be in my place punctually at evening school [at six] ... Evening school finished at seven ...

By 1861, John Grace had 7 children of his own. As well as his wife Sarah, there was an assistant teacher and 10 boarders. Most of the pupils were probably now day-boys, including the future dramatist Henry Arthur Jones who left at the age of 13 in 1864. Daniel Grace's farm was advertised in the Bucks Herald, 21 July 1866:

13 HEAD OF COW STOCK,
CART HORSES, Poultry, Farming Implements, FINE GROWING CROPS OF CORN, Grass Keeping (up to Michaelmas, 1866)
TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, BY
DUDLEY & SON,
On MONDAY, July the 23rd, 1866
On the Land in the occupation of Mr. Daniel Grace, in the Parish of Winslow who is leaving. […]

In 1868 Daniel Grace left to John the building where the school was now located, later called Arundel House (at the corner of Vicarage Road and High Street, now demolished). Mr & Mrs Grace had 8 children living at home, an assistant master and 7 boarders. Subjects offered ranged from Book Keeping and Mercantile Penmanship to Latin and Mythology. Click on the image on the right to see the account which Mr Grace sent to Mrs Flowers of Padbury in December 1878. In 1881 there was an English teacher and 5 boarders. From the Bucks Herald, 4 March 1882:

Presentation – On Tuesday, the 28th ult, being the anniversary of Mr [John] Grace’s birthday, it was decided by the present and past pupils of the Commercial School to make him a suitable present in recognition of the kindness and attention which they have invariably met with under his care. The presentation took place in the School-room and consisted of an illuminated address and a very handsome piece of plate. The address was received by the boys with enthusiastic applause. Mr Grace, on rising to reply, was greatly cheered, and said that it was a most agreeable surprise to him. He thanked them all very sincerely for their kindness and good wishes expressed in the address. It was always his desire to make them happy and comfortable, and he hoped that he should long continue to merit their esteem and good wishes.

John Grace died on 23 July 1885 (see his will; the school doesn't seem to have made him very prosperous) and his school was eventually (see below) taken over by William Warne (Mr Ray's Collegiate School in Sheep Street briefly filled the gap in the market). Grace was 65 years old and had been the Principal of the Commercial School for over 30 years. According to the obituary in the Bucks Herald he was “widely known and esteemed throughout the district, most of the younger middle-class men having passed through his school in their time.” Apart from his school work, John Grace had been Secretary to the Gas Company, Hon.Sec. of both the Cattle Assurance Association and Winslow Fire Brigade, Collector of Income-Tax and several times Guardian of the Parish. John Grace's children included a son, also John, and a daughter, Thalia who married Henry Clift of London. He was given a choral funeral in Winslow Parish Church and his passing was marked with a muffled peal of bells.

Arundel House The school's new management was advertised (Buckingham Advertiser, 11 Sep 1886):

Winslow Boys’ High School.
ESTABLISHED 1812.
Head Master - MR. WILLIAM WARNE, F.R.G.S.
THIS Classical and Commercial School for Boarders and Day Scholars will be re-opened on MONDAY, September 13th 1886.
Thorough Education, Careful Training, Home Comforts, Moderate Terms.
For Prospectuses apply to the Principal, Arundel House, Winslow, Bucks.

The Advertiser also reported (18 Sep 1886):
ARUNDEL HOUSE SCHOOL.- After considerable enlargement and improvements in the premises, this school lately, and for many years, under the conduct of the late Mr. John Grace and his father, was reopened on Monday, by Mr. William Warne, F.R.G.S., for the ensuing September term.

The school seems to have prospered at first under Mr Warne:

Buckingham Advertiser, 14 April 1888
HIGH SCHOOL FOR BOYS.- this school which closed on Friday for three weeks’ vacation, has been undergoing an examination during the past week, and the following report has been made to the Head Master:-
In the examination of this school, the thorough work of the different classes in the various subjects during this term ismost praiseworthy. The diligence, discipline, and assiduity, are most creditable to the boys. Their great intelligence and attention in the numerous branches of education taken up in this rising and excellent school, were evinced by their quick and ready answers given in the examination. The subjects of examination were the following:- Mathematics: arithmetic, algebra, mensuration, Euclid. Latin: grammar, Sallust’s Cataline [sic]. Greek: grammar, Homer’s Iliad book VI. English: scripture, history, geography, composition, grammar, Freehand and geometrical drawing, book-keeping, Music. French.
             Rev. John Fothergill, LL.B Queen’s College, Cambridge
            Stewart House, Gravesend.

Bucks Herald, 23 March 1889
TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE BUCKS HERALD.
SIR,- Your column of last week contained an urgent request to the towns and villages throughout the county to push forward technical instruction in agriculture and other subjects of education, and the article goes on to state that in most Bucks towns, Winslow being one of those specially mentioned, there is no science or art class in existence.
Will you kindly allow me to say that, as far as Winslow is concerned, you have been mis-informed, and that the reproach is undeserved. By the active and cordial co-operation of the Honourable Egerton Hubbard, M.P., Dr. Newham, Messrs. T. P. Willlis, M. Selby-Lowndes, and H. Bullock, flourishing classes have been established here for instruction in advanced model and freehand drawing, the principles of agriculture, and magnetism and electricity, and it is hoped, in course of time, to extend this scientific and artistic teaching both in the points of numbers and subjects to be taught in the classes.
                        I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
                                                WILLIAM WARNE.
Winslow High School,
            March 19, 1889.

Buckingham Advertiser, 16 Nov 1889
WINSLOW HIGH SCHOOL V. MAGDALEN SCHOOL, BRACKLEY.- A game between teams from these schools played at Winslow on Wednesday last, in a field kindly lent for the occasion by Mr. George George. The visitors were the heavier team; played better together than the home team, and their passing was superior, the game ending in a deserved victory for the visitors by fourteen goals to nil. The return match is to be played at Brackley on December 4.

Bucks Herald, 23 Nov 1889
WINSLOW HIGH SCHOOL V. WINSLOW TOWN.- A match between representatives of the above was played on Wednesday last. After an exciting game the result was one goal to each team and one disputed by the School, whose side was composed as follows:- W. M. French, goal; H. R. Young and W. T. [illegible], backs; T. Gurney, W. Musgrave, and L. C. Maydon, half-backs; B. Musgrave, G. H. Harrup, T. Pye, G. H. Musgrave, and G. S. Willmer, forwards.

Bucks Herald, 29 Nov 1890
THE HIGH SCHOOL.- The work of extension and alteration having been recently completed by Mr. Thos. Walker, builder of Winslow, the new dining hall for the boys was inaugurated on Thursday, the 20th inst., when the workmen employed partook of supper together therein, and were afterwards entertained with a programme of recitations and vocal and instrumental music by the resident pupils, under the direction of the Assistant Masters, Mr. P. Wilson, B.A., and Mr. G. Pearce. A very pleasant evening was spent.

Bucks Herald, 24 Oct 1891
SCIENCE AND ART CLASSES.- A class in second grade drawing subjects, freehand, model and perspective, was opened at the High School, on Tuesday, Mr. F. A. Harrison, being the teacher. The fee for the course of 28 lectures is 5/-. A class for instruction in the principles of agriculture is also being held, Thursday being the first night. Mr. Warne is the teacher, and the fees are the same as for the other class. Both classes are in connection with the Science and Art Department, South Kensington, and are open to students of either sex, and the committee will award prizes, or scholarship to the value of £10 from the Bucks County Council Technical Education Fund, to students other than scholars of the school, provided that sufficient attend.

Buckingham Advertiser, 30 Dec 1893
PRIZE DAY AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.
On Wednesday afternoon, December 20, the annual gathering of parents and friends of Winslow High School took place, in connection with the distribution of the prizes gained by the pupils during the year. Mrs. E. H. Verney, of Claydon House, presided, in the place of Sir Harry Verney, who, through indisposition, was unable to venture out…
Mr. Warne, principal of the school, gave a brief report of its progress during this, the seventh year, which it had been under his charge. With regard to numbers, whilst these were necessarily of a fluctuating nature they had, during this year, been above the average, especially as regards boarders, the School-house having been quite full in the last term. The health of the school had been remarkably good all the year, indeed during the last term there had been no cases of sickness- a matter for the deepest gratitude. With regard to results, they had reason to be fairly satisfied. In the public examinations candidates had passed from then in the Cambridge Locals, the South Kensington in mathematic and principles of agriculture, in Pitman’s Shorthand and last, but not least, in the divinity examinations conducted with much self-denial by the Vicar of Winslow. At the close of the summer term the school was searchingly examined by an experienced examiner, Rev. J. Fothergill, Queen’s College, Cambridge, and they had the pleasure of receiving from him a good report, the summary of which was “on the whole I was highly pleased with the work of the school throughout, the teaching seemed thorough and sound; the spelling however, appeared to me to need some little attention, and the boys should endeavour to be more expeditious in their paper work. The viva voce was smart and ready, and I was much struck with the good discipline and high tone of the school and the steadiness of the boys under examination.” With regard to technical education, boys of the school, amongst others, attended the classes held in the town, in connection with the Department of Science and Art, in the subjects of mathematics, principles of agriculture, and second grade drawing. In conclusion, he referred to the fact that they had by the kind aid of friends, started a school library; that their games owing to the enthusiasm of the football captain were taking an upward turn, and that it only required a little more energy to raise them to the position they occupied a year or two before. They must not forget to thank the Vicar of Winslow for his great kindness in holding the divinity examination, in the midst of his many other heavy labours; and he was sure the parents of the boys, who were so lately confirmed, would wish him to thank the Vicar for so kindly and efficiently preparing them…
The extravaganza by T. J. Morton, entitled “The Pasha of Pimlico,” was capitally rendered during the afternoon. The piece was brimful of fun and absurdities…

Winslow Cricket Club met at the school in 1890. The 1891 Census shows an assistant teacher, Alfred Beer aged 16, with 14 boys boarding aged 11-15. The teachers offered various public lecture courses in 1892. Kelly's Directory for 1895 lists "Warne, William, F.R.G.S., C.M." but in fact he handed over control of the school in 1894.

1894: Buckingham Express, 15 Sep
HIGH SCHOOL, WINSLOW
MR. F. R. KITTO, T.C.D. (Of the Modern School, Carlisle),
HAS taken over the HIGH SCHOOL from W. WARNE, ESQ., and is prepared to receive Boarders and Day Boys.
PROSPECTUS AND REFERENCES ON APPLICATION.
Term begins SEPTEMBER 13, 1894.
MR. F. R. KITTO, T.C.D., is prepared to open a PREPARATORY CLASS for Young Boys, if sufficient number is guaranteed.

1895: Buckingham Express, 7 Sep
HIGH SCHOOL, WINSLOW.
FIRST-CLASS SCHOOL FOR BOYS.
Head Master:---F. R. KITTO, T.C.D., M.C.P.
The terms for Boarders are as low as can possibly be compatible with thorough education, home comforts and refined surroundings.
NEXT TERM BEGINS SEPTEMBER 11.

The Sanitary Inspector found Arundel House to be unsatisfactory in 1897: “… the walls of the dormitory were green and black with the damp coming through the north wall. The end of the back entrance hall was partly fallen down, and the roof of the w.c. was also in a dilapidated condition.” From there, it seems it was downhill for Winslow Boys’ High School. By 1899 William Warne was in charge of Chipping Norton Grammar School: “Modern Subjects taught, Very healthy good home.” Perhaps Warne had mended his ways, perhaps not for he was bankrupt before the century had ended.

An announcement in the Buckingham Advertiser, 4 Oct 1902, stated that Winslow High School for Boys term commenced on Monday 8 September, signed H.P. Greaves. The address is given in the 1903 Directory as Sheep Street.

The photo below shows the school c.1890. The white arrow points to George Midgley (some of the younger boys may be Midgleys too).

Pupils at the school

Sale of the Winslow Classical & Commercial School (1885-86)

Centre for Bucks Studies, D/WIG/2/7/1885/29&30

Letter from Sarah Grace to George Wigley:

Winslow
July 13th 1885

Dear Sir,
M^r. W^m. Lee Grace has decided to sell those Cottage in Horn S^t. now occupied by M(es)^rs. Sharpe & King at the same time as this house is sold and M^r. Willis said it would be a good plan to advertise all at the same time.
Yours truly,
S. Grace

Advert for first sale:

THE VERY VALUABLE PROPERTY
KNOWN AS THE WINSLOW
CLASSICAL AND COMMERCIAL SCHOOL
(ESTABLISHED 1812),
Centrally situate in one of the finest positions in the Town, and comprising
An Excellent and very substantially-built BRICK AND SLATED HOUSE,
With capital Accommodation, walled Garden, large School-room, roomy Play Ground & Sheds, Coach-house, Stabling & other Out-buildings.
GEO. WIGLEY On WEDNESDAY August 5th, 1885,
At the Bell Hotel, Winslow at Four o’clock in the afternoon in one lot, by Direction of the Executors of the late Mr JOHN GRACE.

THE PROPERTY COMPRISES the OLD-ESTABLISHED SCHOOL, for three-quarters of a century so successfully carried on by the late Owner and his Father and known as “The Winslow Classical and Commercial School” comprising a brick and slated house substantially built and of modern erection, containing Drawing Room, Dining Hall, Breakfast Room, Cloakroom, Kitchen fitted with Flavel’s patent cooking range and copper, large pantry, capital cellarage including dairy, wine and beer cellars, six bedrooms, attics and closets, enclosed walled garden in front of house, and a capital walled garden in the rear, having also a most valuable frontage in the High Street of 64 feet and very valuable for Building Purposes. A large play-ground with two shelter sheds. A capital and lofty School-room with study adjoining. A range of brick and slated buildings comprising chaise house and stable with loft over, wash-house with copper, boot house with laundry over, coal and wood house.
The whole is Copyhold of the Manor of Winslow, but being a very easy Manor, is nearly equal in value to Freehold. Land Tax 5s 1d.
POSSESSION MAY BE HAD ON COMPLETION OF PURCHASE
The property is particularly well adapted for the purposes for which it has been long used, but from its eligible position and the capital roomy premises it possesses is particularly well suited for business purposes, or with some moderate outlay make a capital Hunting Box.
For a view apply to Mrs. Grace, and for further particulars to Messrs. Willis & Willis, Solicitors, Winslow or to Mr. Geo. Wigley, Auctioneer and Land Agent, Winslow and Fenny Stratford.

Separate sale of 32-34 Horn Street (the original location of the school):

Two Neat Brick and Tiled HOUSES, With YARDS & GARDENS
PLEASANTLY SITUATE IN HORN STREET
TO BE SOLD AT AUCTION BY MR. GEO. WIGLEY
on Wednesday, AUGUST 5th, 1885,
At the “Bell” Hotel, Winslow, at Four o’clock in the afternoon.

The Property Comprises a Brick and Tiled House containing 2 front sitting-rooms, kitchen, cellar and 3 bedrooms, brick and slated wood-barn and walled gardens and adjoining a brick and tiled House containing front sitting room and back ditto, 3 bedrooms, brick and slated wash house wood barn and walled Garden.

They are in the occupation of Messrs Henry Sharp and Joseph King at rents amounting to £19 per annum. Land Tax 3s 3d.

For a view apply to the Tenants, and for further particulars to Messrs. Willis & Willis, Solicitors, Winslow or to Mr. Geo. Wigley, Auctioneer and Land Agent, Winslow.

Letter from Mrs Grace to George Wigley, May 6 1886:

Dear Sir,
My Husband Mr Jno Grace rece(ive)d the rent of the Cottage King occupies up to Dec 25th/84.
Mr Willis was requested by Mr Wm Grace to receive the rents after my Husbands death. Mr Sharpe very punctual in payment.
Yours,
Sarah Grace

Advert for second sale after the first didn't reach the reserve price:

AN EXCELLENT & VERY SUBSTANTIALLY-BUILT BRICK AND SLATED HOUSE,
With capital accommodation, Walled Garden, large School-room, Roomy Court-yard or Play-ground and Sheds, Coach-house, Stabling & other Out-buildings.
Centrally situate in one of the finest positions in the Town and for many years known as
“The Winslow Classical and Commercial School”
Two Neat Brick and Tiled HOUSES,
With Yards and Gardens, pleasantly situate in Horn Street
TO BE SOLD AT AUCTION BY MR. GEO. WIGLEY
On THURSDAY January 21st, 1886,
At the “Bell” Hotel, Winslow, at Four for Five o’clock in the afternoon in two lots.

Lot 1 - Comprises the Capital Property known as “The Winslow Classical and
Commercial School” including a brick and slated House substantially built and of modern erection, containing drawing room, dining hall, breakfast room, cloakroom, kitchen fitted with Flavel’s patent cooking range and copper, large pantry, capital cellarage including dairy, wine and beer cellars, six bedrooms, attics and closets, enclosed walled garden in front of house, and a capital walled garden in the rear, having also a most valuable frontage in the High Street of 64 feet and very valuable for Building Purposes. A large play-ground with two shelter sheds, a capital and lofty School-room with study adjoining. A range of brick and slated buildings comprising chaise-house and stable with loft over, wash-house with copper, boot house with laundry over, coal and wood-house.
The property is particularly well adapted for the purposes for which it has been long used, but from its eligible position and the capital roomy premises it possesses is particularly well suited for business purposes. Land Tax 5s 1d. Possession may be had on completion of purchase.
Lot 2 - Comprises a Brick and Tiled House containing 2 Front Sitting-Rooms, Kitchen,
cellar and 3 bedrooms, brick and slated wood-barn and walled gardens and adjoining a brick and tiled House containing front sitting-room and back ditto, 3 bedrooms, brick and slated wash-house wood-barn and walled gardens in the occupation of Messrs Henry Sharp and Joseph King at rents amounting to £19 per annum. Land Tax 3s 3d.

The Properties are Copyhold of the Manor of Winslow but being a very easy Manor are nearly equal in value to Freehold.
For a view apply to the Tenants, and for further particulars to Messrs. Willis & Willis, Solicitors, Winslow or to Mr. Geo. Wigley, Auctioneer and Land Agent, Winslow.

Conditions of sale: these were Wigleys' standard terms, with handwritten amendments and additions made before printing:

1 The highest bidder for the premises to be the purchaser thereof, and if any dispute arise between two or more bidders, the premises to be put up again at a former bidding. No person to advance at each bidding a less sum than shall be named by the Auctioneer at the time of putting up the Premises, and no bidding shall be retracted. The Vendors reserve the right of bidding generally for the premises by thimselves [sic] or an agent.

2 The Purchaser shall immediately pay down a deposit of £10 per cent upon and in part of the purchase money into the hands of the Auctioneer, and sign an agreement for payment of the remainder on first day of May next at the offices of Messrs Willis & Willis, Solicitors, Winslow, at which time the purchase shall be completed and the Purchaser let into possession or receipt of the rents and profits of the premises purchased by him, but should any delay arise in the completion of the purchase beyond that day the Purchaser shall pay interest at the rate of £5 per centum per annum on the remainder of the purchase money from the said first day of May, to the time of such completion.

3 The Vendors shall at their expense, make out and show good title to the premises subject to these conditions, and at the expense of the purchaser will make or execute a proper assurance to him or as he shall appoint on payment of the purchase money.

4 The Title shall commence with the Admission of the late M^r. John Grace as survivor of the late M^r. Daniel Grace on the 26th Oct. 1868 and no earlier title shall be required on any account whatever.

5 The fixtures on the premises, an inventory of which will be produced at the time of sale, have been valued by the Auctioneer at the sum of £5 9 6 and the purchaser shall take to them at that sum and shall pay for them on completion in addition to the purchase money.

6 All recitals and statements contained in any deed or document dated more than 20 years prior to the date of sale, shall be deemed conclusive evidence of the facts and matters recited or stated therein, or to be assumed therefrom. The Purchaser shall not be entitled to require any further evidence of the identity of the premises respectively, than is afforded by the deeds and documents of title.

7 The production and inspection of all deeds, wills, copies of court rolls and other documents not in the Vendors’ possession, and the procuring of all certificates, official, attested, or other copies of, extracts from, any court rolls, records, registers, deeds, wills, or other documents, and of all declarations and other evidence which may be required by the Purchaser for any purpose, shall be at the expense of such Purchaser.

8 The Vendors being trustees for sale only will not enter into any Covenant for title except the implied statutory Covenant against incumbrances Committed by themselves.

9 All objections and requisitions in respect of the title, shall be stated in writing, and sent to the Vendors’ Solicitors within fourteen days from the delivery of the abstract and all objections and requisitions not sent within that time shall be deemed to be waived, if any objection or requisition shall be made which the Vendors \are/ unable or unwilling to comply with, the Venders shall be at liberty, by notice in writing to the Purchaser, or his Solicitor, to rescind the sale on paying back the deposit money without interest or costs.

10 If any error, mis-statement, or omission in the particulars of sale be discovered, the same shall not annul the sale, but a compensation shall be made in respect thereof, by the Vendors or Purchaser as the case may require, the amount to be ascertained by two indifferent persons or their umpire in the usual way.

Lastly If any Purchaser shall fail to comply with any or either of these conditions, his deposit money shall be actually forfeited to the Vendors who shall be at full liberty to re-sell the premises by public auction or private contract, and the deficiency (if any) occasioned by such second sale, together with all expenses attending the same, shall be immediately made good by the defaulter at this present sale.

George Wigley's bill to Mrs Grace:

1885	To Cash paid out of Pocket for Expenses ;-	£	s	d	£	s	d
	Paid Printer 350 posters	1	12	6
	Man 4 days posting to 4 Market Towns		19	0
	Bucks Herald & Aylesbury News Advertisg a/cs	1	19	6
	Buckingham Advertiser & Buck^mExpress D(itt)o	1	8	0
					5	19	0
Augt 5	Attending at the Bell Hotel Winslow and offering the School House &c for Sale when failing to reach the reserve it was bought in at £750				1	1	0
	Paid M^r Neal Share of Bill for Wine					14	0
1886	To Cash paid out of Pocket for Expenses ;-
	Paid Printer 300 posters	1	18	6
	Man 4 days posting to 4 Mkt Towns		19	0
	Bucks Herald & Aylesbury News Advertisg a/c	2	5	6
	Buckingham Advertiser & Buckingham Express	1	10	6
		6	13	6
	Less M^r W Lee Grace's Share	3	13	6	3	0	0
Augt 21	Attending at the Bell Hotel Winslow and offering the School House for Sale when it was sold to the Rev^d J. Riordan for £670				13	8	0
	Commission on amt Realised at 2 per cent
	Paid M^r Neal Share of Bill for Wine					12	6
				£	24	14	6

The school building was sold to Rev. Riordan, the Congregational minister, who then advertised for a tenant to re-open the school:

To Let, With Immediate Possession,
The Winslow Classical and Commercial School.

Established 1812, and since which it has been very successfully carried on by the late Owner (and his Father previously) ; Centrally situate in one of the finest positions in the Town, and comprising a brick and slated House substantially built and of modern erection, containing drawing room, dining hall, breakfast room, cloakroom, kitchen fitted with Flavel’s patent cooking range and copper, large pantry, capital cellarage including dairy, wine and beer cellars, six bedrooms, attics and closets; enclosed walled garden in front of house, and a capital walled garden in the rear, a large play-ground with two shelter sheds, a detached and lofty school-room 27ft. by 17ft., well lighted and ventilated, and with gas laid on with study adjoining.
A range of brick and slated Buildings comprising chaise-house and stable with loft over, wash-house with copper, boot-house with laundry over, coal and wood-house.
______________________________

Winslow is a Market Town (population 1630) and Junction of the Oxford and Banbury Branch of the L. & N. Western Railway, 8 miles from Bletchley Junction where 30 express trains stop daily, and 50 miles from London.
The School is close to the Parish Church and Congregational Church.
________________________

The late Proprietor died in June last, and the Widow has had many applications for the School, but being desirous of selling the House with the goodwill, has been unsuccessful. She has since sold the property to the present Owner, who seeks a good Tenant, and who asks no goodwill, provided he secures one who will be successful. The highest number of Boarders received during any Term has been 27, and of Day Scholars 40. The School has been closed since the late owner’s decease. There is no other Boarding School for Boys in the Town.

RENT £45

(COPY OF LATE PROPRIETOR’S CIRCULAR)
Winslow Classical and Commercial School
TERMS

Board and Instruction in English, Merchants’ Accounts, Geometry, Algebra,
Trigonometry &c.                                                             25 Guineas per annum
Under 10 years of age                                                     22 ditto
Day Pupils                                                                        £1 5s per Quarter
The French, Latin and Greek Languages                         £1 1s ditto
Practical Surveying and use of Instruments                    10s 6d ditto
Laundry Expenses                                                           10s 6d ditto
Use of Globes                                                                  2s 6d ditto
Drawing, Music, and Dancing by experienced Masters on the usual terms. Each Pupil to bring Knife, Fork, and Spoon.

Vacations at Christmas and Midsummer, and each half-yearly term is equally divided.

Applications to view and other particulars may be had of Mr. GEO. WIGLEY, LAND AGENT WINSLOW.

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Grace Brothers of Sydney (Daniel Grace's grandsons)
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