Leigh School – 19th century School Masters and Mistresses
19th Century Schoolmasters and Mistresses in Leigh
See also:
Part 1
The earliest record of a schoolmaster for Leigh is given in the 1840 Pigots Directory and names Thomas Humphrey as “National School” master in Leigh. Leigh’s National School was part of the National Schools’ movement and supported financially by the National Society (for the Promotion of the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Church of England) which had been formed in 1811 by the Church of England.
There is no mention of a schoolmistress in the 1840 Pigots, although at that time there were two school locations in Leigh – the one on the Green for the boys (the former charity school) and the 1831 school in Powder Mill Lane for girls. If there was a school mistress, she could possibly have been Thomas’s wife as the National Society tended to prefer a ‘couple’. However, that is pure speculation and I have no source for this information. I have tried to find out more about Thomas Humphrey in Leigh: there was a Thomas Humphrey baptised 1770, who had married a Sarah Marden at Leigh in 1782, but he was probably too old, or even deceased by 1840. They had a son, Thomas Humphrey baptized 1789. This Thomas might have married Sarah Nye in 1828 at Leigh, but I have nothing else to go on and by the time of the 1841 census, there is no Thomas Humphrey living Leigh that might have helped, despite the fact that the Humphrey name was common in the area and the village in the 18th and 19th centuries – in particular, as blacksmiths and shopkeepers and very much involved in village life. I have also looked at local newspapers for the area, but could not find him mentioned. The fact that at this time the role of schoolmaster was rarely the main occupation, any Thomas Humphrey found in the census in an adjacent parish might welly have been noted with a different occupation
However, we do have a little more information on the next schoolmaster. He was John Wickenden who is given as Leigh schoolmaster in the 1847 Bagshaws Directory. According to a notice of his death in the Courier in March 1887, John Wickenden had been Master of the National School for 28 years. An article in the Tonbridge Free Press of February 1895, in respect of the death of his son, George Wickenden, it refers to John Wickenden as being schoolmaster “under the old system of elementary education in the National Schools, retiring to make way for a certificated teacher after the passing of the Education Act of 1870” which saw the beginning of a state school system as we know it today. This corresponds with the information we have that he remained schoolmaster until at least 1871. Thus, he would have taken over the role from Thomas Humphrey in about 1842.
Bagshaws Directory also gives us the name of a schoolmistress. She was Elizabeth Wheatley and, therefore, the schoolmaster and mistress in Leigh were not a married couple, but as Elizabeth Wheatley also worked for the Rev. Thomas May, who gave the land for the National School, this might be why she was able – and permitted – to undertake the schoolmistress role. Elizabeth lived and worked at the Vicarage and therefore did not use the cottage attached to the National School, nor did John Wickenden and his family: in fact, the attached cottage was never occupied by a schoolmaster/mistress in any of the censuses.
Both John Wickenden and Elizabeth Wheatley appear in the 1851 and 1855 Post Office Directory and in 1862 Kelly’s Directory as school teachers. In 1867, however, the school mistress changes to Mrs E Kellner. But John remains schoolmaster until at least 1871 as he is described as such in the census.
Part 2
John Wickenden had been Leigh schoolmaster from about 1842 and carried on this role for 28 years. He was born in Hartfield in about 1816, and his wife was Louisa Ford from Cranbrook. She was baptized a Wesleyan and they married in St George Hanover Square London in 1844. John would have arrived in Leigh after the 1841 census and in the 1851 census he is described as a master glazier; fortunately for his wife – if she continued to practise – there was a Wesleyan Chapel in Leigh at this time, established in 1826: it was a separate building used exclusively as a place of worship, with an average attendance according to the Religious Census of Sunday 30 March 1851 of 90 people (50 general congregation and 40 Sunday scholars): this was the only other place of worship in Leigh at that time. St Mary’s figures are also given in this Census, with 164 people at morning worship and 72 in the afternoon and an additional 95 Sunday scholars in the morning and 69 in the afternoon. The 1870 (Ordnance Survey map) gives the ‘Ebenezer Chapel’ Wesleyan in the area near the Crandalls.
By the time of the 1861 census, John Wickenden is listed as both schoolmaster and painter. The 1867 Post Office Directory says he was schoolmaster, baker and vestry clerk. In the 1871 census, aged 54, he is still a schoolmaster (and vestry clerk) and is living next to the Brickmakers’ Arms as his neighbour is George Crowhurst, the Beer House keeper. Thus, he would have still been schoolmaster when the new Leigh boys’ school was built, but retired soon after to make way for a certificated teacher under the new system of the Education Act of 1870. By 1881 John is described as a plumber and would remain in Leigh until his death in 1887, dying 3 weeks after his wife.
We know a little more about Elizabeth Wheatley who was schoolmistress for most of the time John was schoolmaster. She was a servant in the household of the Rev. Thomas May (Vicar 1830-1876) on whose land the National School building had been built in 1831 and had married James Payne in 1865. There is a piece of silver – described as Mrs Payne’s teapot – which was presented to her and carries the inscription:
By the Vicar of Leigh
In grateful remembrance
Of her services as
National Schoolmistress
During 27 years of his incumbency.
In her Will, Elizabeth had left the teapot to Susie Isobel Hamilton who was the granddaughter of the Rev. Thomas May.
On her marriage to James Payne, it is likely that Elizabeth would have had to retire as schoolmistress. In fact, there is an advert in the Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser dated 12 December 1864:
“A Mistress for the Leigh National School. A young woman not under the age of 25 years and of some personal influence is required. Salary at the rate of £25 a year, with the privilege of taking a few private scholars. Apply Rev T May, Vicar.”
If, by 1865, she had served 27 years, this would have meant that she had started as schoolmistress in about 1838, aged about 22, even though no schoolmistress is named in the 1840 Pigot’s directory and Elizabeth is not described as a schoolmistress in the 1841 census, when she was living with her parents. In 1851, now working as servant at the vicarage, she is described as National Schoolmistress in the census, but not as such in the 1861 census. Kelly’s Directory for 1862 describes her as schoolmistress. Therefore, we know from ‘official’ records that she was schoolmistress between 1847 and 1862, but also that she had been schoolmistress even longer.
Part 3
In December 1864, the Rev. May advertised for a new school mistress for Leigh in the knowledge that Miss Elizabeth Wheatley would be marrying in early 1865 and retiring from the role. The lady who most likely followed Miss Wheatley was Emily Kneller. She was married and lived in Leigh. Although we do not know exactly when she was appointed, we do know that she is given as the school mistress in the 1867 Post Office Directory. There is only little further information about her. We know her maiden name was Firminger and that she was born at Hartfield. The 1871 census described her as ‘schoolmistress’ aged 33, when she is living in Leigh with her husband, Benjamin Kneller, whom she had married in 1862. There appeared to be no children at this point in their marriage. By the time of the 1881 census, she is no longer given as a school mistress, but as ‘formerly general servant’, and was living with Benjamin in one of the vestry cottages near the church. In 1876, Mr and Mrs Allison were appointed as school master and mistress; therefore, it could be that Emily left the school at that particular time. Alternatively, she may have left in 1871, as had John Wickenden, when the stipulation under the 1870 Education Act was for certificated teachers, which would leave a gap of about five years when the name of a school mistress is not known and no others sources to help.
Following the retirement of John Wickenden, the new school master for Leigh was likely to have been James Heney: a date of appointment is not known, and the source we have for James Heney is in the 1874 Kellys Directory which names him school master of the National School. (However, it does not give a school mistress). He would have been a certificated school master as required under the new Education Act of 1870. Sadly, little else is known about him. There is a mention in Chris Rowley’s book, “We Had Everything . . . “ when Dick Wood recounts his memories of Harry Heney: “his father (was) an Irish schoolmaster”. With the surname of Heney, one can safely assume that schoolmaster was James Heney.
Despite internet searches, little has been found on James Heney other than his marriage to Harriet Goodwin in Leigh on 8 October 1874 and on the baptism of their children. Harriet was the daughter of George and Ann Goodwin and both their two children were baptized on 4 April 1880 – William James Heney (born 1875) and Harry George Goodwin Heney born 1880. Harriet Heney was living at Speldhurst in 1881 with her children (with the family of Ed Couchman – a relative). She also appears in the 1891,1901 and 1911 censuses for Leigh but James Heney appears in none of them and has been impossible to trace elsewhere. Their son, William James Heney, went on to be a schoolmaster and later a headteacher and William James’s two children joined the teaching profession. However, with surname variations and no place or approximate year of birth, it is impossible to locate James and what happened to him, although Harriet still called herself ‘married’ in the 1911 census, so we assume he died after 1911 for in the 1921 census, Harriet is described as a widow. We can only guess why they no longer appeared together from the 1881 census onwards.
However, we do know that James would have resigned from Leigh school in 1876 because, as mentioned above, it is that year that we see the appointment of Mr Henry Alexander A Allison as master, along with his wife, Mrs Allison for the infants.
Part 4
In 1876, Henry Alexander Allison and his wife, Anne arrived at Leigh School to become school master and mistress. Their names appear in the 1882 Kelly’s Directory: “National School: Henry Alexander A Allison with Mrs Allison for infants.” From the 1881 census, they were living at the “National Boys’ School, School Master’s House’ on the Green. This school building was still boys only at this time.
Henry was born at Chelsea in 1843 and was an adopted son to William Aitkens and his wife. At age 18, he was already a pupil teacher. Anne Elizabeth Akers, also born 1843, at Woolwich, was one of many children of William and Sarah Akers. Henry and Anne married in 1865 at Greenwich. In the 1871 census, they are living at Buntingford, Herts with their children: William Henry 5, born Fairlight, Sussex; Margaret Louisa, 2, born Fairlight, Sussex, Emily, aged 5 months, born Buntingford. A niece, aged 15, Elizabeth Jaques (daughter of John Jaques and Emma Akers – sister to Anne) is living with them. In 1881, now at Leigh, the Allisons are described as certificated teachers. Their daughter, Margaret, is living with them. William Henry is now lodging in Woolwich with William Aitkins, the ‘father’ of Henry Allison and is a pupil school teacher aged 15. In time, he would become a schoolmaster. Daughter Emily is living at Barming with Elizabeth Jaques, the latter is now also a school teacher. In due course, Margaret Allison would become a schoolmistress. We can assume that Henry and his wife, as teachers, would have taught at the places they lived: Fairlight and Buntingford before moving to Leigh.
The Allisons remained at Leigh until May 1884, when Mr Allison took up a role at St John’s School in Tunbridge Wells: the health of Mrs Allison had prompted him to look for a different position as she could no longer continue as a schoolmistress. This was a loss for Leigh as they were successful and well-liked teachers at Leigh.
From the Leigh School Managers’ Minutes of 20 January 1925, we learn that in 1877 (when the Allisons were in charge) there were 196 children at the school “The Correspondent produced a ‘List of Children attending Leigh School with occupation of the Parents Nov 1877’ which had been sent to him by Miss Collum, daughter of a former Vicar, contained 196 names.” Sadly, we do not have this original document.
However, we do learn more about the Allisons from newspaper articles. The first mention is in an article dated 24 August 1877 (Kent and Sussex Courier) when Mr and Mrs Allison were present at the Annual Meeting of the West Kent Church of England School Teachers’ Association. An article dated 9 August 1878 (Kent and Sussex Courier) reported that the annual school treat “given to the Day School children by Samuel Morley, Esq., M.P., was held in the beautiful grounds of Hall Place last Thursday. The children numbering 235 . . . marched up to the Hall, the marching of the boys in the order known as “four deep” being quite equal to some volunteer cadet corps. After being formally welcomed . . . by the Misses Morley, the children proceeded on a tour round the grounds, coasting round the extensive lake, and crossing it by the pretty rustic bridges, winding their way through the lovely flower garden and rosaries, where the fountain made one feel cooler by only looking at it. Then . . . were soon fully occupied in their games. At 4.30 a plentiful tea . . . some singing, fun and frolic was again the order. At 7.15 . . . Mr Morley . . . proceeded to distribute the prizes. In his address he spoke very highly of the flourishing state of the school, and the pleasure it gave him to know that all was going on so satisfactorily . . . the children sang several lively songs . . . which seemed to be much enjoyed by the company and parents . . . After . . . the National Anthem, and receiving a distribution of fruit, they separated to their various homes, well pleased with their day’s enjoyment . . . The highest prizes among the boys were taken by William Foote, for general improvement; John English for reading; Frank Martin, for writing; Thomas Hounson, for Mapping. The chief girls’ prizes were taken by Minnie Kingswood, for best needlework; Maggie Allison, for plain work; Mary Simmonds, for darning; Kate Simmons, for marking; Elizabeth Barton, for patching; Alice Hitchcock for button-holes; Fanny Wheatley for knitting.
This article highlights some of the lessons in 1878 – particularly the variety of needlework skills taught to the girls. For boys, it appears the prizes concentrated on reading and writing, but also mapping.
19th Century Schoolmasters and Mistresses in Leigh (part 5)
Henry Allison and his wife Anne were very popular with both parents and children and during the early years of their tenure at Leigh School, a new infants’ school was built, funded by Mr Morley, costing nearly £300. This is mentioned by Rev Collum in Edwin Hodder’s Life of Samuel Morley, but when exactly is not clear. However, a newspaper article of 13 September 1879 (Tonbridge Free Press) intimates that this infants’ room had recently been opened. The article itself is about a presentation made to Mr Allision by the parents. Mr Allison, in his thank you, referred to “the new infant room which had been lately opened had proved a great advantage, and the infants seemed always glad to come, and were very happy while they were there”.
The article goes on to show the success Mr and Mrs Allison had made of the school since they took over, implying an improvement on previous heads of the school. The presentation to Mr and Mrs Allison was a testimonial of esteem and made by Henry H Morley as a show of appreciation by the parents. The article refers to the good work done by Mr Allison when the state of the school was compared to what it was like before he came. It mentions that the number of children attending was 250 – with 214 attending on a regular basis. Mr Morley referred to the kind teaching and loving care the children received at the school. Mr Allison in reply said he only performed his duty and if the school had improved it was due to the help and sympathy he received and that he had at Leigh many helpers which other schools lacked. There was a good committee, with Mr Morley at the head, and the vicar as chairman; and the school committee always took a great interest in the place that when buildings or anything else were wanted they were always provided. Mr Allison also remarked that his own wife seconded his efforts as did the pupil teachers (trainee teachers), who really accomplished their work well, and took great interest in it. He went on to say that “Leigh was sometimes spoken of as a model village, and he had even seen it in print; and he wanted to see the school a model one too, though it was not this yet”.
As well as his work at the school, Mr Allison was also involved in the village itself. He had set up the Leigh Choral Society – which celebrated its second anniversary in March 1878. Mr Allison conducted the choir and there are newspaper reports of entertainments and instructive gatherings which had taken place in Leigh under his leadership at the Leigh Schools.
Further praises are given at the presentation to the Allisons following their retirement. The Tonbridge Free Press gives the fullest report on 24 May 1884, according to which, “at the National Schools on Saturday evening a meeting of a very interesting character took place” in the school room. It was more a meeting than a social occasion, attended by Mrs Collum, Miss Collum, Dr Fraser, Mr Maxted, Mr Allison, Mr C Davis and Mr W Baldwin, with a “good attendance of the scholars and their parents.” (Mrs Allison was not present). Speeches were given and that by the Vicar, Rev. H R Collum gives an insight into life at the school at that time and praises the Allisons. As well as speeches, according to the Kent and Sussex Courier of 23 May 1884 there was the presentation of “the testimonial consisting of a beautifully illuminated address, engrossed on vellum and framed in gold, together with a purse containing 12 guineas, from the parents; also a handsome veined marble timepiece, from the school children.”
19th Century Schoolmasters and Mistresses in Leigh (part 6)
On the retirement of Mr and Mrs Allison, The Tonbridge Free Press article gave a detailed article of the presentation to them and reports the Rev Collum’s address. It tells us a lot about Leigh School in 1884.
“He was sure this tribute of affection and good will upon the part of Leigh to Mr and Mrs Allison would be very gratifying to their feelings, after they had spent too many years of their lives doing what they could for the welfare of the children of the village . . . He thought a testimonial such as that spoke well for all concerned: first, it showed that the people of Leigh knew how to appreciate efforts made on their behalf and, secondly, it spoke well for the master and mistress who had been able to enlist the good will and sympathy of so many people in the place. He need hardly say that the office of teacher was a most responsible and glorious one, but at the same time it was a most arduous and difficult position, and it was very rarely that they found in one person a combination of the physical, intellectual and moral qualifications which, summed up, formed a good and successful teacher. He thought both Mr and Mrs Allison had been successful in many respects . . . having received from the inspectors good average reports. The discipline of the school had not always been such as commended itself to his own judgment, though for that he attributed no fault to the master and mistress, although if a more strict discipline had been adopted by Mr Allison it might have been better for him and better for the children as well. The moral tone of the school, however, had, he considered, been thoroughly good. For himself, he should prefer a sound moral tone to high educational results and for the position of the school in that respect Mr and Mrs Allison were to be heartily thanked.” The Rev Collum went on to address the scholars, giving a few words of advice as to the importance of paying every attention to their work while in school.
He handed the testimonial to Mr Allison. The address was enclosed in a gilt frame and ran as follows:
“To Mr and Mrs Allison – We, the parents of the children attending Leigh School, and other residents in the parish, avail ourselves of the occasion of your resigning the position of master and mistress to express to you our appreciation of the efficient manner in which, during the past eight years, you have discharged the important duties devolving upon you as teachers of the young. It is with regret that we have learned that the state of Mrs Allison’s health is such as to render it desirable that you should seek a post which will release her of all school work, but we earnestly hope that, after the lapse of an interval of sufficient rest, she may be so completely restored as to enable her again to undertake duties for which she possesses so many qualifications. In wishing you both a hearty farewell, we beg to offer for your acceptance the purse of money which accompanies this address and trust that, with the Divine blessing, you may be even more successful in your new sphere of labour than you have been in the old.” C. Davis, W. Baldwin, Leigh May 15th 1884.
Mr Allison responded by saying it was “the fate or misfortune of some people to work hard, honestly, and uprightly, and yet not to be appreciated. Such had not been his experience in Leigh, as that meeting, and a similar one which took place five years ago, testified. He had been there quite long enough to cause him to take a deep interest in everything connected with that pretty village, and he was extremely sorry that the state of Mrs Allison’s health compelled him to seek another appointment. The position of teacher was a difficult and arduous one, but in some places a great deal depended upon the parents of the scholars, and he was pleased to say that he always found that the parents assisted and not hindered him in his work. He felt under a very great obligation to his friends for what they had done, and he could only reiterate his deep thanks for the honour conferred upon him that evening.”
Mr Maxted also responded and also talked about discipline and thought “Mr Collum’s standard was too high: as a manager he was right in adopting such a standard but he (the speaker) did not think they could expect to reach that perfection which it seemed as though the Vicar would never rest till he obtained. The children had been ruled by love: and the parents had had confidence in sending their children to the school, because they were sure they would be treated kindly and would be in good hands.” The Vicar responded that while he was an advocate for strict discipline, he was not in favour of corporal punishment, except where all other influences had failed. The evening concluded with a few words from Mr Baldwin.
Despite the pomposity of late 19th century reporting, it appears that Leigh Schools had been successful, the parents were interested in their children and the children were treated well, that their attainment was to an acceptable standard and the outgoing schoolmaster and mistress had been well liked.
Joyce Field (December 2025/January 2026/February 2026/Mar 2026/April 2026 and May 2026 parish magazine articles)