1829.

II.

II. The following is the Report on the Charities of this Parish, dated 31st January 1829, of the Commissioners appointed in pursuance of the Acts 58 Geo. III, c. 91, Report of and 59 Geo. III, c. 81, as continued by the Act 5 Geo. IV, c. 58, to inquire concerning Charities in England and Wales (Vol. 21, page 54). This Report is hereinafter referred to as the "Report of 1829.'

PARISH OF AYCLIFFE.

SCHOOL (see pages 3 and 7).

William Bell, by his Will, bearing date December 28th, 1809, and by a codicil thereto bearing School. date January 15th, 1810, left 100%. to the vicar and churchwardens of Aycliffe, to be by them invested in Government securities, and the annual dividend paid to the schoolmaster of Aycliffe.

This legacy was invested in the Navy five per cents, in lieu of which there is stock in the new four per cents, now standing in the names of the Rev. Patrick George, Nicholas Graham, George Waite, and John Nelson, producing dividends to the amount of 31. 18s. 2d. yearly.

This sum (deducting the expense of receiving the dividends) is paid to the master of the parochial school at Aycliffe, which was built by subscription, and has no other endowment.

On account of this payment, the master instructs eight children nominated by the vicar and churchwardens, in reading, writing and accounts, at 3d. per week each, which is half the ordinary charge.

GIBSON'S CHARITY (see page 8).

Thomas Gibson, by his Will, bearing date 3rd Febuary 1702, devised to the poor of the township Gibson's of Great Aycliffe, his close called the Milholme, of the yearly value of 40s. and directed that the Charity. parson of the parish there for the time being should take and from time to time renew the lease thereof in his name, for the use of the poor of Great Aycliffe for ever, and should distribute the rent thereof in white bread to the said poor every Lord's day at the communion table.

The Millholme is situate in the township of Great Aycliffe, and contains between one and two acres of land. It is let to Ralph Thompson, at a high rent of 31. 10s. a year, for the purpose of a bleaching ground.

This land is held under the Dean and Chapter of Durham by lease, generally renewed every seven years, and forms part of an estate held on the same tenure by the descendants of the testator.

There is no separate lease of the Millholme, but it is included in the lease granted from time to time to the lessees of the entire estate of which it forms a part. The proportion of fine paid for the charity land has been 30s. for each of the three or four last renewals, and the share of the rent paid is 1s.

About 5s. or 6s. yearly is kept in hand to prepare for the fine to be paid on renewal of the lease; and the remainder, after paying 1s. rent, is given away in white bread every Sunday, at the discretion of the minister, to poor old persons of the township of Great Aycliffe attending divine service, one, two, or three loaves to each person.

The sum to be divided amounts to about 1s. 44d. for each Sunday, and for this sum there are eighteen penny loaves provided.

Aycliffe.

III. Digest, 1869-70.

Supplementary Digest, 1893-4.

III. The following is the description of the Charities of this parish contained in the General Digest 1869-70, and the Supplementary Digest 1893-4:

IV.

Aycliffe.

Great Aycliffe.

*Wesleyan Methodist Chapel

Deed, 1828. Scheme of Charity Commissioners, (Model
Deed) 1893.

* Exempt from the jurisdiction.

IV. There are references to this parish in the Charity Commissioners' Register of Register of Unreported Charities, the substance of which is embodied in the following report. Unreported

V. Amongst those present at the Inquiry at the National School, Aycliffe, were the following: Rev. C. J. A. Eade, vicar of Aycliffe, Messrs. E. Nicholson and W. Wilkinson, overseers of Aycliffe, W. Baker, churchwarden, E. Beamton, clerk to the parish council of Aycliffe, M. Brown, W. Ord, W. Robinson, D. Hutchinson, W. Watson, J. Hill (of Preston le Skerne), and R. Ord (of Brafferton).

In the following table are shown particulars of the townships, or civil parishes, comprised in the ancient parish of Aycliffe :

The ecclesiastical parish of Aycliffe is co-extensive with the ancient parish. The vestry of the ancient parish of Aycliffe is a select vestry known from the number of its members as the "twenty-four." In accordance with ancient practice, as appears from the existing parish registers, the earliest of which relates to the period 1742-75, the twenty-four is a co-optative body consisting of six members for each of the four townships comprised in the ancient parish. By ancient practice, the twenty-four elect

the churchwardens, who are four in number, one for each township. As regards the number of the churchwardens, there was a departure from the established practice during the years 1882-96, when, with some variations, only two churchwardens were appointed; in 1896, however, the ancient usage was restored, and has been duly observed in all subsequent years.

There are now eleven overseers for the townships in the ancient parish of Aycliffe, viz.: four for Great Aycliffe, two for Brafferton, three for Preston-le-Skerne, and two for Woodham. Prior to the Local Government Act, 1894, the number was eight, of whom four were churchwardens as well as overseers. The additional overseers appointed since 1894 are two for Great Aycliffe, and one for Preston-le-Skerne.

National Schools (see page 1).

Aycliffe.

There are now administered under a Scheme of the Charity Commissioners of the National 11th August 1896, certain charitable endowments consisting of the National Schools Schools. and property held in connexion therewith, comprised in the following deeds :

The site of the old parochial school mentioned in the Report of 1829 is included in the property subject to the above Scheme, together with other sites granted at different times. The facts as to the several endowments are as follows:

An undated memorandum (A) in a parish register in the handwriting of the Rev. J. D. Eade, vicar of Aycliffe from 1835 to 1880, states that the school house at Aycliffe was built by subscription in 1745. The building was apparently erected upon the waste without any conveyance. The bequest of William Bell by codicil dated 15th January 1810, for the "schoolmaster of Aycliffe " is mentioned in the Report of 1829.

The following is an extract from a memorandum (B) dated 3rd March 1811, in a parish book under the head of " Aycliffe Sunday and Charity School":

"A Sunday school for the benefit of the poor of Great Aycliff and neighbourhood did this day commence to be under the direction and management of the Rev. the vicar of Aycliff for the time being, Nicholas Graham, churchwarden, and the Rev. Matthew Henderson, householder in Great Aycliff, as trustees and stewards for the same."

"The number of trustees may be increased by the nomination of the above or on the demise or resignation of one of them, by the other two; which trustees shall have power and authority to receive subscriptions and donations for the use of the said Sunday school, and also a charity school on week days if the fund should afterwards be sufficient for both, to appoint and pay the master or masters, and make such rules and regulations at any time as may by them be thought best adapted for the benefit of such school or schools."

The memorandum further contains regulations for the conduct of the Sunday school, which is to be conducted in the "school house in Great Aycliff," and records the appointment of a schoolmaster at a salary of 107. a year.

It is stated that the school was enlarged in 1813, an additional piece of the waste being then taken in.

A memorandum (C) in the last-mentioned book states as follows:"1817. Day School-Funds belonging to Aycliff:

"Subs., &c.

"For this sum 45 children are educated at price, their parents paying 2d. per week. Of these children, six are educated gratis in consideration of 3. per annum subscribed by a gentleman in the neighbourhood. 107. per annum is subscribed by the parish for the Sunday school."

The salary of 107. a year above-mentioned is entered in the book as regularly paid to the schoolmaster, together with fees for free scholars.

This

It would appear from the above records that in the early years of the nineteenth century a Sunday school and a day school were carried on in the same building at Great Aycliff under the management of a co-opted committee of subscribers. appears to have continued down to 1834 when a certain Mr. Tweddle was the master of

Aycliffe.

National Schoolscontinued.

Deed poll of 1854.

1875.

the Sunday school, receiving the 10l. salary, and also, as appears from the document next cited, was master of the day school.

In 1834, the following entry appears in an account book of the parish church covering the period 1775-1851:

"Meeting of Vicar and the Twenty-four, December 16th, 1834.-Resolved that this meeting do adjourn to Tuesday 23rd instant, and then proceed to the election of schoolmaster, and that whosoever be then appointed be required to enter into an agreement to rent the schoolroom at a rent of 5l., which sum, it is understood, will be returned if master be found deserving.

"At an adjourned meeting of the vestry convened for the purpose of electing a schoolmaster (in the place of Mr. John Tweddle, resigned) on Tuesday December 23rd, 1834, present-W. S. Temple, vicar, [and 22 others].

"Mr. R. Raine was nominated by vicar, seconded by J. Nelson, supported by three others. "Mr. J. Guy was nominated by J. Ord, seconded and supported by 16 others, and declared duly elected.

"W. S. Temple, vicar, dissentient.

"Resolved that as the appointment of schoolmaster is vested in the 24, all repairs of the schoolroom in future to be made at the expense of the parish.

"Resolved that before Mr. J. Guy be put in possession of the schoolroom, he be required to enter into such an agreement as may be proposed to him by committee of the vestry respecting his giving up possession when called upon, and for use of the schoolroom to hold township meetings in, and the committee be composed of the four following gentlemen.

In 1837, a fresh appointment of a schoolmaster was made by the twenty-four, as appears by a further entry in the church account book.

The school premises appear to have been enlarged in the year 1837, and an additional piece of the waste taken in for the purpose. (Cf. the letter mentioned in the next paragraph.)

In 1854, the Rev. J. D. Eade, then vicar of Aycliffe, applied to the Dean and Chapter of Durham for a conveyance in trust of the school site. The following is an extract from some particulars furnished by him to Mr. W. C. Chaytor, Chapter clerk, Durham, in a letter dated 26th June 1854 :

"The old part of the school-house marked A on the accompanying plan claimed by the parish, but has never been legally conveyed to them or conveyed at all. The new part (B) 20 feet square built 17 years ago. The whole premises have been built upon the waste belonging to the Dean and Chapter of Durham." Mr. Eade asked that the whole should be conveyed by the Dean and Chapter of Durham, under 4 & 5 Vict. c. 28, to the vicar and churchwardens of Aycliffe as trustees for the "Aycliffe Parochial Church of England School."

Accordingly, by deed poll, dated 20th July 1854, the Dean and Chapter of Durham, under the School Sites Act, voluntarily and without valuable consideration conveyed to the Rev. John Davie Eade, vicar of Aycliffe, and eight other persons, and their respective successors, vicars, churchwardens and overseers of the parish of Aycliffe, the piece of land therein described, upon trust for a school for the education of the labouring, manufacturing, and other poorer classes in the parish of Aycliffe in the doctrine and principles of the Established Church. The deed contained no powers of management. It would appear that the appointment and dismissal of the master of the school continued to be regarded as vested in the twenty-four. There was an appointment of a master in 1858, the circumstances of which are obscure. Save as to the appointment and dismissal of the schoolmaster, the vicar appears to have acted as the sole manager of the school down to 1870. It appears that in the last mentioned year, the Rev. J. D. Eade, vicar of Aycliffe, nominated a committee of management in order to meet the requirements of the Education Department.

that

Under date, the 26th August 1873, the vestry book contains a minute, dated 26th August in that year, of a meeting of the twenty-four "held after 10 days' notice," at which a resolution was passed that "the vicar be instructed to inform Mr. "his services as schoolmaster will not be required after the end of this year." At a special meeting of the twenty-four held on the 25th November 1873, the vicar in the chair, a resolution was passed appointing a new schoolmaster.

Indenture of By indenture of the 30th June 1875, the Ecclesiastical Commissioners and their lessees (holding leases since expired) under the School Sites Acts, voluntarily and without valuable consideration, conveyed to the minister and churchwardens of Aycliffe the pieces of ground delineated in the plan drawn upon the indenture, together with the school buildings and offices then lately erected thereon by the said minister and churchwardens (reserving minerals to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners) upon trust for a

school only for the education of the poorer classes in the parish of Aycliffe, and as a Aycliffe. residence for the teacher or teachers of the said school, the same to be always in union National with the National Society for Promoting the Education of the Poor in the Principles of Schoolsthe Established Church. The indenture contained no powers of management.

On the 17th July 1875 (as appears by minute in the vestry book) a new "schoolmaster of Aycliffe" was appointed by resolution of a special meeting of the twenty-four, the vicar in the chair.

By declaration, dated the 24th July 1875, and endorsed upon the above-mentioned deed-poll of the 20th July 1854, under the hands of the Rev. J. D. Eade, John Lawson, and J. Davison, after reciting that since the execution of the said deed the National Society for Promoting the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Established Church, had agreed to vote the sum of 251. towards Aycliffe schoolroom upon the site thereby conveyed, but upon the express condition that the said school should be united to the said Society, it was agreed that so soon as the said sum of 257. should have been paid by the treasurer of the said Society, the said school should always be in union with the said society; provided that the trustees might from time to time with the consent and at the request of the said Society, but not otherwise, convey for educational purposes, but not otherwise, their estate or interest in the said school in such manner and upon such terms as the said Society should direct.

continued.

By deed-poll of the 4th November 1876, the Rev. John Davie Eade, vicar of Aycliffe, Deed poll of under the School Sites Acts, voluntarily and without valuable consideration conveyed a 1876. messuage and garden at Great Aycliffe, containing by admeasurement 31 poles or thereabouts (excepting minerals, which were reserved to the dean and chapter of Durham under a previous conveyance), to the vicar of Aycliffe and his successors, as a site for a school for the poor classes of the parish of Aycliffe, or residence for the teacher of the said school, and for no other purpose, the said school to be always in union with the National Society for Promoting the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Established Church, and in case the said school should at any time thereafter cease to be conducted on the principles of the Established Church, then upon trust to pay the annual income of the said messuage and premises thereby granted to the vicar for the time being of Aycliffe, and his successors, for the repairs of the fabric of Aycliffe Church; provided also that the religious education to be given in the said school, and the entire control and management of any Sunday School held in the school premises should be vested in the vicar of Aycliffe for the time being, or in his absence, the officiating minister.

By indenture dated the 30th June 1890, under the School Sites Acts, the Eccle- Indenture of siastical Commissioners voluntarily and without valuable consideration conveyed to the 1890. vicar and churchwardens of the parish of Aycliffe and their successors, a piece of land containing 86 square yards, or thereabouts, at Aycliffe, bounded on the north-west and part of the west sides thereof by land forming the site of the school of Aycliffe, together with the buildings thereon, and the appurtenances (excepting minerals) upon trust for a school for the education of children and adults, or children only, of the labouring, manufacturing, and other poorer classes in the parish of Aycliffe, or as a residence for the teacher or teachers of the said school, and for no other purpose, the said school to be always in union with the National Society for Promoting the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Established Church; provided that the trustees might from time to time, with the consent of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, but not otherwise, convey their estate in the premises, for educational purposes, but not otherwise, upon such terms and conditions as the Ecclesiastical Commissioners should direct.

The premises comprised in the several conveyances of 1854, 1875, and 1890, were occupied by a mixed school of boys and girls, taught by a master appointed by the select vestry, and an infant school taught by a mistress appointed, it is stated, by the vicar. The mixed school was chiefly, if not wholly, on the site conveyed in 1854, whilst the infants' school, and the boys' playground belonging to the mixed school, and the girls' and infants' playground belonging both to the mixed school and the infants' school, occupied the sites conveyed in 1875 and 1890. The house comprised in the conveyance of 1876 was occupied by the master.

In 1894 disputes arose in regard to the dismissal of the schoolmaster, which formed the immediate occasion of the establishment of the Scheme.

In 1894 the schoolmaster, Mr. Thompson, was dismissed, and another master appointed. The legality of these proceedings was questioned by certain of the inhabitants, and Mr. Thompson was re-instated by the overseers, or some of them, in 1896.

In these circumstances an application for a scheme for the administration of the Charity, signed by the vicar and the four churchwardens and certain inhabitants of