A census of the population of Britain has been taken every ten years since 1801, except in 1941. Originally, the purpose of the census was to record population statistics, but from 1841 the census recorded, street by street, the name of every individual in each household, together with their age and occupation.
The 1851 census was taken in Britain on 31 March 1851 for the night of Sunday 30 March, and was the first census to ask detailed questions of householders – name, relationship to the head of the household, marital status, age, occupation, and where born.
The 1851 census for Sherborne lists under ‘King’s School, Church Passage’ the residents of Sherborne School: the Headmaster, his wife, two assistant masters, eight servants, and 43 scholars (boarders).
The School’s address, ‘King’s School, Church Passage’, may not sound familiar, but for many years ‘King’s School’ was the local name for Sherborne School, recalling that it had been founded in 1550 by King Edward VI.
The original entrance to the School site was through the gate on Church Lane or Church Passage, which links the Parade in Cheap Street to the Abbey Close. Above this entrance is a Latin inscription which can be translated as ‘This public school, the noble work of King Edward the Sixth is at the disposal of those who desire learning.’
But where did the 55 people live who are named as being residents of the school site on the 1851 census? The School had not yet acquired from Earl Digby the former monastic buildings lying on the northside of Sherborne Abbey (the Guesten Hall, Abbot’s Hall and lodgings, and kitchen), which today house the library, the chapel, and the Headmaster’s study and administrative offices. In March 1851 the School site consisted of just a cluster of buildings around what is now the Old School Room (OSR).
The Headmaster lived in the east end of Sherborne Abbey, which in 1560 had been converted by the School Governors into a house. From his window the Headmaster looked out east into a school yard, bounded on the north by the School Room (OSR), which had been purpose-built in 1606. On the south of the school yard was the ‘Laundry Building’: a four-storied building that faced onto Church Lane and had been in school use since 1827, housing a laundry on the ground floor with dormitories above. In 1850 the Headmaster described the building as ‘scarcely fit for boys’, but it was not demolished until 1920.
To the north of the School Room was the Bell Buildings, built in 1835 to provide additional teaching space with dormitories above. To the west of the Bell Buildings and built onto the northside of the Abbey was the School’s first sanatorium, known as the Box Buildings. Built in 1697 and not demolished until 1855, the Box Buildings provided a sick bay and dormitories.
The Headmaster named in the 1851 census was 29-year-old Hugo Daniel Harper MA (1821-1895), who had been elected Headmaster of Sherborne School on 19 March 1850. Harper came with impressive credentials: he was one of the best mathematicians of his generation at Oxford and a Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford. From 1847 to 1850 Harper was Headmaster of Cowbridge Grammar School in Glamorganshire where, in three short years, he had transformed a failing school and increased the roll from 12 to 80 pupils.
Harper’s wife named in the 1851 census, was Mary Charlotte Harper (1829-1908), daughter of Captain Henry Drury Harness, Deputy Master of the Royal Mint. In March 1851 they had been married for three months, having married on 19 December 1850 at All Saints, Knightsbridge. After honeymooning at Lynton in Devon, Harper and his new bride had returned to Sherborne where they remained for the next 27 years, bringing up their seven children. For the first nine years of their married life (until School House was built in 1860) the Headmaster and his family lived in the converted east end of the Abbey, which was by no means ideal accommodation for a young family, with no one allowed to play the piano while services were taking place in the Abbey because it could be heard through the partition wall and disturbed the congregation!
By March 1851, Harper was employing five members of teaching staff. In the census, two young unmarried assistant masters are living on the school site: 21-year-old Edmund Thomas Watts (MA, Trinity College, Dublin) and 26-year-old John Holdsworth Morgan (formerly Senior Assistant Observer at the Cambridge Observatory). The other three members of teaching staff, the Under-Master the Rev. Thomas James (MA, St John’s College, Cambridge), Maurice Day (BA, Ireland Scholar and Hertford Scholar of the University of Oxford), and the French and German master Monsieur Phillipe Villars (Premier licence ès lettres, University of Paris), all lived in the town.
The eight domestic staff named as living on the school site in 1851 were John Lewis, a married 26-year-old servant who was born in Glamorganshire and had presumably come with Harper from Cowbridge, and seven unmarried female house servants who were all locals and born in either Somerset or Dorset: Elizabeth Fooks (38), Caroline Cupper (18), Mary Ann Foot (26), Ann Spicer (21), Martha Fox (23), Martha M. Babstock (25) and Rebecca Slade (28). There were probably other servants who lived nearby and came in daily or when additional help was required.
In 1850, when Harper was made Headmaster of Sherborne School, there were only 40 pupils on the school roll, 38 of whom were day boys who lived in or near Sherborne, and only two fee-paying boarders (or Tablers). The 1851 census reveals how quickly Harper began to increase the number of boys boarding at the School, with 43 named as living on the school site in March 1851. The census reveals that 29 of the boarders were born in Wales (13 in Glamorganshire, 8 in Monmouthshire, 3 in Carmarthenshire, 3 in Breconshire, 1 in Cardiganshire, 1 in Pembrokeshire). These boys had followed Harper from Cowbridge Grammar School and included Cecil Beadon (later Assistant Commissioner of the Punjab) and Lewis Morris (who became famous as a poet of the Anglo-Welsh school). Harper’s reputation also resulted in more local boys enrolling at the school as day boys (or Foundationers) who were then entitled to free tuition in Latin and Greek.
The boys boarding at Sherborne School named on the 1851 census:
Henry Francis Bate (15), born Cross, Somerset.
Born 1835. Son of Mrs Bate, Backwell Rectory, Bristol. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-1851. Surgeon. Died in 1869.
Cecil Beadon (12), born Dinapore, India.
Born 1838. Son of Sir Cecil Beadon, KCSI, sometime Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-1852. Entered RN 1853, served in the Baltic 1854, Crimea 1854-55, operations against Canton 1856-57. Entered Madras Cavalry 1858. Served on River Ganges as a volunteer during Indian Mutiny in HEI Co’s gunboat Jumna. Assistant Commissioner, Punjab 1862-1893. Colonel 1888. Reverted to military duty 1893. Died 1913.
Richard Beadon (11), born Dinapore, India.
Born 1839. Son of Sir Cecil Beadon, KCSI, Calcutta, sometime Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1851-1854. HEICS 1855. Indian Mutiny 1857-1858, siege of Lucknow (despatches x2), Chinese campaign 186-, Taku forts and surrender of Pekin, Lieutenant-Colonel 1879. Died 1884.
Thomas Kemuel Bevan (14), born St Peter’s, Carmarthenshire.
Born 1836. Son of the Ven. Archdeacon Bevan, Carmarthen. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-1853. Studied medicine.
John Boulton Brander (15), born Calne, Wiltshire.
Born 1835. Son of Rev. Boulton Brander, Derry Hill, Calne. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-? Captain, Bengal Staff Corps. Died in 1907 at Newton Ferrers, Devon.
William Brownell (16), born Norton, Derbyshire.
Born 1834. Son of Charles Brownell, Aigburth, Liverpool. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1851-?
Edgar Richard Burton (14), born St Woolos, Monmouthshire.
Born 1836. Son of R. Burton, Cardiff Road, Newport. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-1853. Died at Newport in 1905.
Benjamin Howell Cuthbertson (15), born Lantwell, Glamorganshire.
Born 1837. Son of A. Cuthbertson, Neath. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-1854. Farming in Australia.
Howell Cuthbertson (16), born Lantwell, Glamorganshire.
Born 1835. Son of A. Cuthbertson, Neath. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-1854. Adm. Solicitor 1860. Coroner. Lived at neath. Died 1915.
Daniel Thomas Davi(e)s (17), born Vaynor, Breconshire.
Born 1833. Son of D. Davis, Cwm, Caerphilly, Cardiff. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-1853. Jesus College, Oxford, 1853, BA 1857. Vicar of Whitchurch, Glamorganshire 1870-75. Died 1875.
Henry Benjamin Charles Davies (16), born Troedyraur, Cardiganshire.
Born 1834. Son of Rev. H. Davies, Troedyrawr, Newcastle Emlyn. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-?
William Rees Davies (14), born Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorganshire.
Born 1836. Son of William Davies of Merthyr Tydfil. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-?
William Wyndham Edmondes (14), born Llanblethian, Glamorganshire.
Born 1837. Son of W. Edmondes, Llanblethian, Cowbridge. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-? Lieutenant, Bengal Mounted Police, served through the Mutiny. Died at Calcutta in 1860.
William Christopher Evans (14) born Merthyr, Glamorganshire.
Born 1837. Son of D. Evans, Merthyr Tydfil. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-1855, 6th form, Exhibition, Classical Medal, Leweston and Parsons Prizes (1855), Head of School (1855). Corpus Christi College, Oxford, 1855, Exhibition 1957, 1st class Classics, Mods., 1857, 2nd class Classics 1859. Ordained 1860. Died 1862.
Richard Fothergill (17), born Bedwelty, Monmouthshire.
Born 1833. Son of Richard Fothergill of Tredegar Iron Works. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-? Died 1854 at Rhoswen, Bedwelty.
John Roberts Furmedge (12), born Beaminster, Dorset.
Born 1838. Son of J. Furmedge, Langton, Beaminster. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1851-1856, 1st XI. Estate management at Broadmayne, Dorset, Died 1928.
Henry Basil Hayward (15), born Avening, Gloucestershire.
Born 1835. Son of Rev. George Hayward, Nympsfield, Stroud. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1851-1853, 1st XI 1854-55. Worcester College, Oxford, BA 1861. Ordained 1861. Rector of Winstone, Gloucester 1871-1894. Died 1904.
Frederic(k) Helyar (13), born Sutton Bingham, Somerset.
Born 1838. Son of Rev. H.W. Helyar, Sutton Bingham, Yeovil. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1851-? 13th Foot, Indian Mutiny, Lieutenant-Colonel. Died 1883.
John Henry Highmore (12), born Preston, Somerset.
Born 1838. Son of John Noake Highmore, Preston, Yeovil. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1851-? Died 1908.
Arthur Howell Jones (14), born Bishopston, Glamorganshire.
Born 1836. Son of Rev. D. Jones, Bishopston Rectory, Swansea. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-? JP, DL, Carmarthenshire. Died 1909.
David Secretan Jones (16), born Bishopston, Glamorganshire.
Born 1824. Son of Rev. D. Jones, Bishopston Rectory, Swansea. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-1853, Classical Medal (1851, 1852), Leweston Prize (1852, 1853), Exhibition (1853), Head of School (1850-1853). University College, Oxford, 1853, 3rd class Classics, Mods, 1855, 3rd class Classics 1857. Ordained 1858. Vicar of Oystermouth, Swansea, 1867-1899. Died 1922.
John Shering Keddle (16), born Bridport, Dorset.
Born 1835. Son of Dr Keddle, Bridport. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1851-1852. Articled to a solicitor. Finally entered 83rd Foot, exchanged to 41st 1856. Died in 1879 at Crewkerne.
Sherring Keddle (16), born Bridport, Dorset.
Born 1835. Son of Shering Keddle, Hatchlands, Netherbury. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1848-? Adm. Solicitor 1858.
Henry Latch (15), born St Woolos, Monmouthshire.
Born 1836. Son of Joseph Latch, Newport, Monmouthshire. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-1853. Merchant at Newport. Colonel, 1st Monmouthshire Rifles. Died 1917.
Joseph Sylvanus Hill Lloyd (17), born Cayo, Carmarthenshire.
Born 1832. Son of George Lloyd, Brunant, Llandovery, Carmarthen. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-1852. Went to sea, but abandoned the service from ill-health after four years. Sometime at Sutton, Yorkshire. Died at Balham in 1902.
John Maund (15), born Panteague, Monmouthshire.
Born 1835. Son of John Maund, Tymawr, Abergavenny. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-1851. Brasenose College, Oxford, 1853. Farmer, JP. Died in 1876 at Boulogne-sur-Mer, France.
John William Morgan (16), born Llanspyddid, Breconshire.
Born 1834. Son of Mrs Morgan, Brecon. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-1851. Died in 1892 at Bolgoed Hall, Llanspyddid, Breconshire.
William Wayne Morgan (14), born Llanwonno, Glamorganshire.
Born 1836. Son of William Morgan, Llan, Llanwonno, Glamorganshire. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-? Farmer, Watford Farm, Caerphilly, Glamorganshire. Died 1894.
Alfred George Morris (18), born St Woolos, Monmouthshire.
Born 1832. Son of T. Morris, Stow Hill, Newport. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-1851. Jesus College, Oxford, 1851, BA 1855. Ordained 1859. Rector of Roggiett, Chepstow, 1878-1901. Died 1901.
Lewis Morris (18), born St Peter’s, Carmarthenshire.
Born 1833. Son of L.E.W. Morris, Carmarthen. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-1851, 6th form, English Verse and Leweston Prize (1851). Jesus College, Oxford, 1851, 1st class Classics, Mods., 1853, 1st class Classics 1855, BA 1856, Prox. Acc. English Essay 1857, English Essay 1858, Hon. Fellow 1877. Author. Vice-Chairman of the Political Committee of the Reform Club. Hon. Secretary and Treasurer and later Vice-President, University College of Wales. Barrister-at-Law (Lincoln’s Inn) 1861. JP. Knight of the Redeemer of Greece. Knighted 1895. Died 1907.
Joseph Jekyll Newman (16), born Yeovil, Somerset.
Born 1834. Son of Edwin Newman, solicitor, Hendford, Yeovil. Attended Sherborne School 1844-? Surveyor in Islington. Died 1876.
Charles Brodie Foreman Penny (16), born West Indies.
Born 1834. Son of C. Penny, Weymouth. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1851. Royal Engineers 1854, Lieutenant-Colonel 1877, Colonel 1882. Retired, Major-General 1882. Lived at Tonbridge. Died 1902.
William Llewellyn Powell (14), born St Mary’s, Glamorganshire.
Born 1837. Son of W.L. Powell, Taibach, Glamorganshire. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-? Attorney at Law and solicitor.
James Price (13), born Coln St Dennis, Gloucestershire.
Born 1837. Son of Rev. William Price, Coln St Dennis, Andoversford, Cheltenham. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-?
John Price (16), born Llanganten, Breconshire.
Born 1834. Son of Thomas Price, Llanganten, Builth, Brecon. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1851-1853. Jesus College, Oxford, 1853. BA (2nd class Law and History) 1857. Ordained 1858. Curate of Warmfield near Wakefield, 1875-1877. Died 1882.
Arthur Richardson (15), born St David’s, Pembrokeshire.
Born 1836. Son of Rev. A.H. Richardson, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-1855, 6th form, 1st XI. Worcester College, Oxford 1855, BA 1859. OU Fives 1858. Ordained 1860. Vicar of St Dogwell, with Little Newcastle, 1866. Incumbent of Ford Chapel, Pembrokeshire, 1876. Died 1911.
James Maurice Shipton (15), born South Hamlet, Gloucestershire.
Born 1835. Son of Captain James Maurice Shipton, RN, Manor House, Winford, Bristol. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-1853. Worcester College, Oxford, 1853. 33rd (Duke of Wellington’s) Regiment 1856. Major, Tower Hamlets Queen’s Light Infantry Militia. Died 1873.
Anthony Powell Traherne (17), born Bettws, Glamorganshire.
Born 1834. Son of M.P. Traherne, Bridgend. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-1852, 17th Foot 1853, Crimea 1854-55, at the assault of Great Redan, retired Major. Adjt. Glamorgan RV. JP for Hampshire and Glamorgan. Died 1910.
Charles Arthur Madan Warde (11), born Lantwell, Glamorganshire.
Born 1839. Son of Admiral Warde, Preswylfa, Neath. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-1856. Entered Royal (Bengal) Artillery 1857, Major, retired, Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel 1876. JP, DL, Kent. Died 1912.
Henry John Gregory Warde (13), born Lantwell, Glamorganshire.
Born 1837. Son of Admiral Charles Warde, Preswylfa, Neath. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-? Lieutenant, 56th Bengal Native Infantry. Killed on 27 June 1857 during the massacre at Cawnpore, India.
Herbert Williams (14), born Llanvapley, Monmouthshire.
Born 1836. Son of Ven. Archdeacon Williams, Abergavenny, later Dean of Llandaff. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-1855. Oriel College, Oxford 1855, BA 1860. Ordained 1861. Vicar of Brecon 1864. Prebendary of St David’s 1891. Died 1896.
Rowland Thomas Williams (18), born Llanvapley, Monmouthshire.
Born 1833. Son of Ven. Archdeacon Williams, Abergavenny, later Dean of Llandaff. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-1853. Died 1897.
Thomas Williams (16), born Llanvapley, Monmouthshire.
Born 1835. Son of Ven. Archdeacon Williams, Abergavenny, later Dean of Llandaff. Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1850-1853, 6th form, 1st XI. Oriel College, Oxford, 1853, BA (2nd class Law and M. History) 1856. Ordained 1857. Vicar of Llanddewi-fach 1859-80. Vicar of Llowes, Radnor 1859-1914. Rural Dean of Hay 1885. Prebendary of St David’s 1902. Died 1914.
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