LIDLINGTON SCHOOL IN 1851

[Trador2016]

Just found this chat when looking up Lidlington school in the 1861 census. I had an ancestor who is shown at the age of 12 attending this school (school master was John Miller). His parents came from Bedfordshire, but the children were born in Chelsea as the father, William Fountain, was a publican. Thought it strange that this son should be sent away to school. The other children remained in London, but they were girls and the older boys were 14 yrs + older than this child (Frederick William Fountain, but appeared to go by William). Would love to find a photo of the old school. Couldn't find anything when googling. It would appear that it was located at the juncture of the High Street and Church street?

[Churchie]

Amazed to notice this thread continuing - I just checked an ordnance survey map and there was a school directly opposite that junction, but it may have been connected to the church...
The common link seems to include the children of publicans.

Caroline.

[maddys52]

I don't have a subscription to British Newspapers Online (or findmypast), however I can see a reference to a boarding school at Lidlington in an advertisement in the Morning Advertiser 6 July 1858 "an old established boarding school situated at Lidlington". It appears under the heading "Licensed Victuallers Protection Society".

[Churchie]

Brilliant! Thank you, I'll have a look. Old posts never go away 

[Churchie]

Two advertisements - they are in a column listing numerous private schools.
The Licenced Victuallers advertisement at the top of the page is a co-incidence.
This was an expensive school - not a charitable set-up at all!

[maddys52]

That's excellent.

I can see John MILLER and family at 70 High St Lidlington in 1861, so the right school. 

Modified:
Sorry, I should have read the post by Trador2016 a bit more carefully, I see that they already said this. - Welcome to RootsChat Trador2016!

I also hope Dee sees this, I know she hasn't been on here in a while. - Hope you're well Dee!

[johnP-bedford]

As featured in a series of Our Heritage' drawings published in the local Bedfordshire Times... this was from 3rd July 1942

[maddys52]

That's brilliant John! what a great find - a wealth of information for all those interested in the School.

[Churchie]

Thank you so much John!
11 years after I started the thread it all makes sense, apart from sending a 4 year old girl away to  boarding school, though it would no doubt be a safer environment for a child than her home in a pub in Whitechapel.
George Church was a firm believer in success, and education clearly played an important part in his plans for his children.

CC