Nunnington hospital school records

These documents are from the papers of Lady Mary Graham (1681-1753), who inherited the Manor of Nunnington and its lands, including the hospital school, following the death of Charles, 5th Baronet Esk and 3rd Viscount Preston in 1739. As can be seen from the memorandum below, an additional six acres, known as Croft Close located in Hovingham, just outside of Nunnington, was purchased in 1735, to extend what the Hospital School could provide.

Memorandum of May 1735, and receipt of 8 November 1684, from Graham Family of Norton Conyers Collection [ZKZ]

The hospital school was originally founded by Ranald Graham, prior to 1678, with a rent-charge of £20 issuing out of the Manor of Nunnington. Of this sum, one receipt from 1684, shows £9 being split amongst the six alms-houses and for employing a schoolmaster. Other people contributed to the charity, and funds were spent on housing and clothing the poor, and educating two pupils, such as John Letby and Alice Moor mentioned below. 

It is interesting to see that girls were being educated at this time too. Repairs to the building and employment of a woman to wind the school clock were other regular outgoings.

One invoice and a receipt, 1742-1743, from the Graham Family of Norton Conyers Collection [ZKZ]

It’s easy to become side-tracked by small collections such as this, but it’s the detailed study of them which expand our knowledge of the collection and the lands and inhabitants represented.