Dunstable
Chew's House School
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Chew's House, by Hugh Garrod
First published in the Dunstable & District Local History
Society Newsletter
Issue No. 23
Page 2
The school had 8 masters from 1715 to 1880.
1. Moses Gratwick, 1715-1741. Moses had no degree but was a 'gentleman, a man of substance.' The curriculum, which was intended to prepare the boys for apprenticeships, consisted of reading writing and keeping simple accounts. Mr. Gratwick's speciality was the teaching of Spelling and Copperplate handwriting.
2. Rev. Thomas Hill, 1741-1753. Thomas was educated at Oxford University, was curate at the Priory from 1720 and became Rector in 1728.
3. Edward Snoxell, 1753-1780. Edward was an usher at the school under Thomas Hill. He was dismissed by the Governors for poor management. The trustees were more concerned about the perceived reputation of the school than anything Mr. Snoxell may or may not have done or said. It was also rumoured that his wife was a Non-Conformist.
4. William Ward, 1780-1789. He was appointed from 56 applicants and was known to have firm discipline.
5. John Gresham, 1789-1812 He was appointed from 48 applicants and was a renowned musician.
6. John Puddephatt, 1812-1836 He was an ex pupil of the school and served as an assistant master before his appointment. Both he and John Gresham are buried in the Priory Churchyard.
7. John Corfield, 1836-1856 He established the library and introduced bookkeeping and the study of science. He taught History, Geography, Mechanics and Algebra. His curriculum also included reading, writing, spelling, dictation, grammar and arithmetic. He was the first to teach the free scholars and the fee-payers in separate classes.
8. William Hambling, 1856-1880, He trained at Cheltenham Education College, was a churchwarden at the Priory and founded the Du