Thomas Betton's Trust
Thomas Betton, a merchant venturer and Ironmonger who died in 1723, bequeathed half the interest of his estate to redeem British slaves in Barbary and Turkey, one quarter to charity schools in London and one quarter for the relief of decayed freemen, their dependents and the Chaplain. Following the abolition of slavery the use of the half share was altered so that grants could be given to Church of England schools in England and Wales.
The Trust makes grants to Church of England voluntary aided schools for educational activities and resources. The company has bought a number of Presentations to Christ's Hospital and has two Presentations in perpetuity bequeathed by Thomas Hanbey in 1782. The Company also supports sixth form pupils at King Edward's School, Witley.
One quarter of Thomas Betton's charity is for schools in the dioceses of London and Southwark. From this income the company gives an annual grant to support two choristers at St Paul 's Cathedral School.
The fourth quarter share is now devoted to appeals for relief in need, both from charities addressing disadvantage and from social workers on behalf of individuals living on very low incomes. Over 60 grants are made every year. The administration of the grants to individuals is carried out by another charity, Housing the Homeless Central Fund. |
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Application to Mr Betton's Charity by the School at Snitterfield, Warwickshire. Probably 1847.
A pencilled note on the back of the application form reads:
Adam Beck Esqre, Ironmongers Hall, Fenchurch Street. Bettons Charity
Questions to be answered by parties making application for a portion of the funds arising from Mr Betton's Charity. The funds are intended for national, parochial and other schools of a similar nature, except Sunday & Infant Schools, which are not within the scope of the Charity. No grants can be made for building school houses or establishing schools, but only for assisting schools in operation.
1. What is the Population of your Parish or District, and is it Agricultural or Manufacturing ?
The population of Snitterfield at the last census was 822 and that of the 2 adjoining parishes Bearley and Wolverton, who also send children to the school, 393. The population ‑ Agricultural.
2. Are there any, and if so, how many, Schools in your Parish or District for the education of the poor according to the principles of the Church of England, exclusive of Sunday and Infant Schools ?
There is no other National School in the District.
3. Are there any Buildings permanently appropriated to these Schools, or any of them ?
Yes. A Boys and Girls School room.
4. Is there any debt or charge on any of these buildings ?
No debt that I am aware of on the Buildings but at the close of last year there was a debt due to Mark Philips Esq. of £11 for money advanced by him, and upwards of £15 due to Treasurer.
5. How many Children are educated in each School, distinguishing Boys and Girls ?
About 60 Boys and 50 Girls.
6. Are there any of the Children attending the School clothed or partly clothed out of the funds, and if so, how many ?
None are clothed.
7. How long has the School, in respect of which your application is made, been established ?
It was opened in January 1838.
8. How many Children will the School Buildings accommodate ?
Each School room will accommodate about 80 children.
9. What is the number of Children on the Books, and what has been the average attendance during the last twelve months ?
The Number of Boys on the Books 70 ‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑ Girls 60
Average attendance ‑ Boys between 50 and 60 Girls 40 and 50
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10. What is the Annual Income of the School, and from what sources derived ?
About £70. Endowment ‑ none. Subscriptions ‑ about £28. Payments from Children ‑ including work and Articles sold: £42.
Other resources ‑ Occasional Donations.
11. Is there a Teacher's House ?
Yes. Mark Philips Esq. allows a Cottage Rent free.
12. What is the Annual cost of maintaining the School ? About £85.
Salary to master, including Children's payments. Ditto to Mistress.
At present Master and Mistress are Man and Wife and their Salary is £70.
Books Stationery &c. Between £5 and £6.
Fuel, Candles &c. Between £4 and £5.
Rent of School House none
Other expenses, if any Between £2 & £3 for Repairs & Sundries
13. Are there any resident Landed Proprietors, Gentry, or others in your Parish or District, capable of affording pecuniary assistance ?
All the Gentry and Resident Landed Proprietors do subscribe.
14. What is the extent of the Parish or District and the estimated annual value according to the Poor rate valuation ?
The extent of the Parish is 3725 Acres. The estimated annual value £4839.
15. In what Diocese, County, and Parish is your School situate, and is it attached to a new District ?
The School is in the Parish of Snitterfield which is situate in the County of Warwick and Diocese of Worcester.
Signature of Applicant and Address :
Donald Cameron Vicar, Snitterfield Vicarage Stratford on Avon.
By the Regulations of the Court of Chancery respecting this Charity, the Ironmongers' Company are bound to require a Certificate Annually from the Trustees or Managers of each School, or if no Managers or Trustees, from the Clergymen of the Parish, as to the state of the School Buildings, the manner in which the School is conducted, the amount of Income and Expenditure for the preceding year, and the debts or incumbrances, if any, affecting the Schools.
[Pencilled notes on back of form]:
[Population]
Bearley… 231
Wolv .…. 162 393
Snitt 822
1215
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Extracts from the 1851 census for Snitterfield
Headings in bold, and notes in italics, are additions to the original.
Name Head or Rel. marr?-age sex occupation birthplace
National School
Frank E. BAKER Head M 28 M Schoolmaster Cambridge-Cam
Eliza BAKER Wife M 28 F Mistress Cambridge-Cam
Pupil Teachers
George GIBBS Head M 52 M Baker Master
Subinah GIBBS Daur U 15 F Pupil Teacher Snitterfield-WAR
James SMITH Head M 48 M Shoemaker Master
Frederick SMITH Son U 16 M Pupil Teacher Snitterfield-WAR
School for Young Ladies
Jane A MASH Head U 35 F
Governess Of A School For Young Ladies Southam-WAR
16 scholars were present. Only the county of birth given for most: the majority were from Warwickshire, with Northamptonshire and Leicestershire also represented.
Mary J. CHAPMAN Tchr U 30 F Teacher ----Lincolnshire
Martha HEWLETT Tchr U 23 F Teacher ----Oxfordshire
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To download transcripts and images of the application form and school accounts (4.5 Mb), click on the icon: 
The contents of this website may be used freely to non-commercial ends. Please acknowledge the source to help other researchers. The original documents have been deposited at the Warwickshire County Records Office, with the Accession No. CR 4404.
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