The Timberscombe School, Likely Pre 1909
Title
The Timberscombe School, Likely Pre 1909
Subject
Description
The front and the reverse of an original postcard featuring the schoolhouse in Timberscombe, with women and children (and one gentleman to the right) looking toward the camera. "Timberscombe School" is labelled on the upper left of the front. Printed vertically on the left edge of the reverse is "Photo by Bert Hole, Dachet"---with the "D' apparently a mistake by the typesetter. "Bert Hole" was the professional name of the photographer, Henry John Hole, whose home and studio was on Swain Street in Watchet, West Somerset (1).
The photograph for this postcard was likely taken in 1909 or earlier. SP-050 is also a Bert Hole postcard, featuring a woman and child standing before the northwestern gate of the churchyard of St. Petrock's Church in Timberscombe. They also seem to appear in this photograph, being the woman in the centre of the group, wearing a white pinafore over a dress with dark sleeves. She is holding the left hand of a little girl wearing a distinctive bonnet, secured by a dark ribbon. In SP-050, these are the same outfits worn by the same woman and child at the church gate, located merely steps away from the school. Another link between the two photographs is "Timberscombe Church" is printed on the upper left of SP-050, in the same type and style utilised on the postcard here. The reverse of both postcards are the same, with the mistaken "Dachet" also printed on the left edge of SP-050. The main difference is SP-050 is stamped with two postmarks, one labelled "DUNSTER" and the other labelled "TIMBERSCOMBE" and "TAUNTON", both clearly dated 7 August 1909. It is highly probable both postcards were photographed by Bert Hole at the same session.
In the style of the time, the man standing in front of the right doorway would be the Head Teacher and the woman in the arched doorway (on the left side of the photograph) would be the Infant or Secondary Teacher-- and often the wife of the gentleman. Such would be the case here, likely being Henry John Griffin and Elizabeth Griffin .
Mr. Griffin was born in 1849 at Bedminster, a district of Bristol, Gloucestershire (2). Mrs. Griffin was born in 1852 as Elizabeth Allen at Northamptonshire and by the age of 17 was working as a servant in Lincolnshire (3). It appears they married in Gloucestershire in 1873 (4) and by the 1881 Census, were back in Lincolnshire at Claypole, where they were certified as School Master and School Mistress of National School. With Mr. and Mrs. Griffin were the first four of what would be at least twelve children.
On the 1891 Census, Henry and Elizabeth Griffin held the same positions at the school in Dawley Magna, Shropshire but on the 1901 Census, Henry was listed as School Master at Bettisfield, Wales. The School Mistress serving along with him was Edith Griffin, the second eldest daughter of Henry and Elizabeth. Also living with Edith and her father was thirteen-year-old Dora Griffin. At the same time, Elizabeth Griffin had seven of the other children with her in Bristol, where she was working on her "own account" as a Hotel Keeper (5).
Nevertheless, Henry and Elizabeth were back together on the 2nd of April 1906 when they were offered the positions of "Master" and "Supplemental Teacher" at Timberscombe School. The assignments came with an annual combined salary of £95 and "use of the school dwelling house" (6)--where the presumed Mr. Griffin stands on the postcard. Henry and Elizabeth's first official day was 7 June 1906 (7). Six days earlier, their youngest child, five-year-old Mildred Griffin, had been admitted to Timberscombe School (8). Perhaps the group of people standing between Mr. and Mrs. Griffin in the photograph includes some of their broadly age-ranged family. It could be completely possible Mildred is the little girl under the bonnet.
The Griffins gave notice at Timberscombe School on 17 October 1910 and left on the 30th of November (9), leaving for a definite change of careers. With Mildred, they moved to the Coach & Horses Inn on 33 East Street in Taunton, where Henry listed himself as the "Licensed Victualler" (a formal name for "landlord"), Elizabeth was "Assistant in Business" and their son, 32-year-old William Henry Griffin, was the Barman (10). By 1916, the Griffin family was living in Brinkworth, Wiltshire, where Henry John Griffin witnessed the marriage of another daughter, Clara, still registering his profession on the marriage license as "Schoolmaster" (11).
On the postcard and above the doorway, where likely it is Henry John Griffin standing, a marble plaque can be seen which honours Richard Elsworth, the founder of Timberscombe School at his death in 1714. His father, also Richard Elsworth (sometimes spelled Ellsworthy, sometimes Ellsworth) came to live at Timberscombe's Manor House (later being Bickham Manor) in 1668 (12). At his death--aged only 22--the younger Elsworth bequeathed ongoing funds to have a school and library established at Timberscombe (13). When he was 16, he had already endowed the rebuilding of the church tower at St. Petrock's Church in Timberscombe (14).
The actual building of the school was very delayed. The foundation stone of the schoolhouse was laid in 1805. As stated when Mr. Griffin was hired, the front section, facing the road, was meant to house the Head Teacher and his family. The entry to the schoolroom was to the left rear (15)-- where the woman that is likely Mrs. Griffin stands. By the time of the Tithe Map of 1843, this L-shaped building was completed. A new school building was erected in 1876 (16) and can be seen on the Ordnance Survey Map of 1844 to 1888. It is visble on this postcard, peeking over the left end of the roof. Further alterations beginning in the summer 1956, contracted to a Mr. Burgess, a Minehead builder and supervised by the architect, Major Marsden, later connected the two buildings, perhaps unfortunately obscuring the 1876 addition. The children were relocated to the Timberscombe's Village Hall until classes resumed on 7 February 1957 (17).
The original schoolroom's arched doorway, as seen in the photograph, survives in modern times. The windows have been altered. Also appearing here, is the school bell that was on the original school roof.
In later years, the dwelling for the Head Teacher became a private residence, still called School House. The marble plaque over its' curved metal porch will later be moved to the left side of this building, under the peak of the gabled roof --where it remains. The inscription reads "Timberscombe Charity School. A Deed of Endowment By the pious munificense of Richard Ellsworth MDCCXIV For the Education of Children of the poor in the Principles of the Church of England LAUS DEO." The enduring effect of Mr. Elsworth's bequest was to bring Timberscombe, a poor village, more into the modern world and improve the lives of many.
Bert Hole was born in 1871 at Williton. He was the son of Herbert Henry Hole (1836-1900), also a photographer. In 1902, Bert Hole married Alice Maud Williams at St. Petrock's, who was born and raised in Timberscombe (18). Both of their sons were baptised at St. Petrock's (19). Their daughters, Vera Hole, born in 1909 and Rita Hole, born in 1912, attended Timberscombe School (20). Bert Hole died early in the year of 1915 (21).
This copy of the postcard was donated by Tim Collins of Whitelackington near Ilmimster, Somerset (and who had lived for some time in Timberscombe). As seen on the reverse, a message was sent by "Gwyneth", writing to her mother, Mrs. A.R. Hicks in Brixham, Devon. The daughter was apparently relieved that she was able to be away while some folks visited her mother. The postmark indicates the card was sent September 1916, posted from Wootton Courtenay.
The photograph for this postcard was likely taken in 1909 or earlier. SP-050 is also a Bert Hole postcard, featuring a woman and child standing before the northwestern gate of the churchyard of St. Petrock's Church in Timberscombe. They also seem to appear in this photograph, being the woman in the centre of the group, wearing a white pinafore over a dress with dark sleeves. She is holding the left hand of a little girl wearing a distinctive bonnet, secured by a dark ribbon. In SP-050, these are the same outfits worn by the same woman and child at the church gate, located merely steps away from the school. Another link between the two photographs is "Timberscombe Church" is printed on the upper left of SP-050, in the same type and style utilised on the postcard here. The reverse of both postcards are the same, with the mistaken "Dachet" also printed on the left edge of SP-050. The main difference is SP-050 is stamped with two postmarks, one labelled "DUNSTER" and the other labelled "TIMBERSCOMBE" and "TAUNTON", both clearly dated 7 August 1909. It is highly probable both postcards were photographed by Bert Hole at the same session.
In the style of the time, the man standing in front of the right doorway would be the Head Teacher and the woman in the arched doorway (on the left side of the photograph) would be the Infant or Secondary Teacher-- and often the wife of the gentleman. Such would be the case here, likely being Henry John Griffin and Elizabeth Griffin .
Mr. Griffin was born in 1849 at Bedminster, a district of Bristol, Gloucestershire (2). Mrs. Griffin was born in 1852 as Elizabeth Allen at Northamptonshire and by the age of 17 was working as a servant in Lincolnshire (3). It appears they married in Gloucestershire in 1873 (4) and by the 1881 Census, were back in Lincolnshire at Claypole, where they were certified as School Master and School Mistress of National School. With Mr. and Mrs. Griffin were the first four of what would be at least twelve children.
On the 1891 Census, Henry and Elizabeth Griffin held the same positions at the school in Dawley Magna, Shropshire but on the 1901 Census, Henry was listed as School Master at Bettisfield, Wales. The School Mistress serving along with him was Edith Griffin, the second eldest daughter of Henry and Elizabeth. Also living with Edith and her father was thirteen-year-old Dora Griffin. At the same time, Elizabeth Griffin had seven of the other children with her in Bristol, where she was working on her "own account" as a Hotel Keeper (5).
Nevertheless, Henry and Elizabeth were back together on the 2nd of April 1906 when they were offered the positions of "Master" and "Supplemental Teacher" at Timberscombe School. The assignments came with an annual combined salary of £95 and "use of the school dwelling house" (6)--where the presumed Mr. Griffin stands on the postcard. Henry and Elizabeth's first official day was 7 June 1906 (7). Six days earlier, their youngest child, five-year-old Mildred Griffin, had been admitted to Timberscombe School (8). Perhaps the group of people standing between Mr. and Mrs. Griffin in the photograph includes some of their broadly age-ranged family. It could be completely possible Mildred is the little girl under the bonnet.
The Griffins gave notice at Timberscombe School on 17 October 1910 and left on the 30th of November (9), leaving for a definite change of careers. With Mildred, they moved to the Coach & Horses Inn on 33 East Street in Taunton, where Henry listed himself as the "Licensed Victualler" (a formal name for "landlord"), Elizabeth was "Assistant in Business" and their son, 32-year-old William Henry Griffin, was the Barman (10). By 1916, the Griffin family was living in Brinkworth, Wiltshire, where Henry John Griffin witnessed the marriage of another daughter, Clara, still registering his profession on the marriage license as "Schoolmaster" (11).
On the postcard and above the doorway, where likely it is Henry John Griffin standing, a marble plaque can be seen which honours Richard Elsworth, the founder of Timberscombe School at his death in 1714. His father, also Richard Elsworth (sometimes spelled Ellsworthy, sometimes Ellsworth) came to live at Timberscombe's Manor House (later being Bickham Manor) in 1668 (12). At his death--aged only 22--the younger Elsworth bequeathed ongoing funds to have a school and library established at Timberscombe (13). When he was 16, he had already endowed the rebuilding of the church tower at St. Petrock's Church in Timberscombe (14).
The actual building of the school was very delayed. The foundation stone of the schoolhouse was laid in 1805. As stated when Mr. Griffin was hired, the front section, facing the road, was meant to house the Head Teacher and his family. The entry to the schoolroom was to the left rear (15)-- where the woman that is likely Mrs. Griffin stands. By the time of the Tithe Map of 1843, this L-shaped building was completed. A new school building was erected in 1876 (16) and can be seen on the Ordnance Survey Map of 1844 to 1888. It is visble on this postcard, peeking over the left end of the roof. Further alterations beginning in the summer 1956, contracted to a Mr. Burgess, a Minehead builder and supervised by the architect, Major Marsden, later connected the two buildings, perhaps unfortunately obscuring the 1876 addition. The children were relocated to the Timberscombe's Village Hall until classes resumed on 7 February 1957 (17).
The original schoolroom's arched doorway, as seen in the photograph, survives in modern times. The windows have been altered. Also appearing here, is the school bell that was on the original school roof.
In later years, the dwelling for the Head Teacher became a private residence, still called School House. The marble plaque over its' curved metal porch will later be moved to the left side of this building, under the peak of the gabled roof --where it remains. The inscription reads "Timberscombe Charity School. A Deed of Endowment By the pious munificense of Richard Ellsworth MDCCXIV For the Education of Children of the poor in the Principles of the Church of England LAUS DEO." The enduring effect of Mr. Elsworth's bequest was to bring Timberscombe, a poor village, more into the modern world and improve the lives of many.
Bert Hole was born in 1871 at Williton. He was the son of Herbert Henry Hole (1836-1900), also a photographer. In 1902, Bert Hole married Alice Maud Williams at St. Petrock's, who was born and raised in Timberscombe (18). Both of their sons were baptised at St. Petrock's (19). Their daughters, Vera Hole, born in 1909 and Rita Hole, born in 1912, attended Timberscombe School (20). Bert Hole died early in the year of 1915 (21).
This copy of the postcard was donated by Tim Collins of Whitelackington near Ilmimster, Somerset (and who had lived for some time in Timberscombe). As seen on the reverse, a message was sent by "Gwyneth", writing to her mother, Mrs. A.R. Hicks in Brixham, Devon. The daughter was apparently relieved that she was able to be away while some folks visited her mother. The postmark indicates the card was sent September 1916, posted from Wootton Courtenay.
Creator
Herbert John (Bert) Hole
Source
Publisher
Bert Hole
Date
2019
2022
2022
Contributor
Language
English
Identifier
The Timberscombe School / Timberscombe / Village Centre
Acquisition Date
2019
Acquisition Method
Gift
Category
PLACES: Schoolhouses / Timberscombe
Condition
Good
Condition Notes
Entered by Tom Sperling
Condition Date
2019
Dimension Type
W X L
Dimension Units
cm
Dimension Value
10 X 15
9 X 13.5
9 X 13.5
Institution Name
St. Petrock's History Group
Notes
(1) "Secure the shadow: Somerset Photographers, 1830-1939" by Robin Ansell, Allan Collier and Phil Nichols, The Somerset and Dorset Family History Society, 1918 and the 1911 England Census (2) Bristol, England, Church of England , Parish Registers, 1722-1933 and 1861 England Census (3) Northamptonshire, Church of England, Baptisms, 1813-1912, England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 and 1871 England Census (4) Find My Past.com, Results for England & Wales Marriages, 1837-2005 (5) 1901 Wales Census and 1901 England Census (6) Timberscombe School MINUTES BOOK, 15 July 1903- 3 April 1930, page 34 (7) Timberscombe School LOG BOOK, 27 September 1892- 4 March 1910, page 234 (8) Timberscombe School ADMISSIONS REGISTER, 1897-1944, no. 218 (9) The Timberscombe School LOG BOOK, 4 April 1910 -25 March 1947, pages 12 and 13 (10) 1911 England Census (11) Wiltshire, England, Church of England, Marriage and Banns, 1754-1916 (12) Victoria County History.ac uk (13) "Ellsworth School, 1714-1964" a pamphlet detailing the bequeaths of Richard Ellsworth, written by Mrs. Kathleen Willis, Head Teacher at Timberscombe School for 34 years, serving until 1967 (14) "THE VILLAGE OF TIMBERSCOMBE AND ITS CHURCH", by B. L. K. Henderson and G. O. E. Henderson, printed by E. Goodman & Son, Ltd., The Phoenix Press, Taunton, 1955 (15) VCH (16) VCH (17) Timberscombe School LOG BOOK, April 1947-1 April 1965, pages 131-151 (18) "Secure the shadow: Somerset Photographers 1839-1939" and Somerset, England, Marriage Registers, Bonds and Allegations, 1754-1914 (19) Somerset, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1914 (20) Timberscombe School LOG BOOK, 3 April 1910-25 March 1947 and Timberscombe School ADMISSION REGISTER, 1897-1944, Nos. 313 and 335 (21)"Secure the shadow: Somerset Photographers 1839-1939"
Storage Location
St. Petrock's History Group Archive
Storage Date
2020
2022
2022
Storage Notes
St. Petrock's History Group PHOTOGRAPHS
Item Reference
SP-072
Technique
Copies
Citation
Herbert John (Bert) Hole, “The Timberscombe School, Likely Pre 1909,” St. Petrock's History Group, accessed May 6, 2024, https://stpetrockshistorygroup.omeka.net/items/show/3158.
Comments