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Archiver > ESSEX-UK > 2005-07 > 1120508707
From: "Colleen" <>
Subject: Re: CHRISTIE - 1861 Boarding school, Harlow - Fawbert & Barnard 1 of 2
Date: Mon, 4 Jul 2005 21:25:07 +0100
References: <000001c58085$839b35c0$29280150@animausdjz8jw8>
Thanks for your detailed and very interesting answer, Lawrence.
Though unfortunately I can't help much with your questions, the
answers I can give are below.
----- Original Message -----
From: "La Greenall" <>
Firstly, Colleen, can you clarify whether George Fawbert was of Waltham
Cross (in Hertfordshire), or of Waltham Holy Cross (i.e. Waltham Abbey,
in Essex? I have seen a reference that says he was actually of Waltham
Abbey
I can't unfortunately, my book simply states 'Geo Fawbert of Waltham Cross'.
....it doesn't seem unlikely that as a
farmer Barnard could have been the principal producer of Fawbert's raw
material, which would most likely have been sent from either Waltham to
London by barge down the Lea - the town of Ware a few miles upstream was
then replete with maltings lining the river's banks. Old Harlow being on
the Stort Navigation does beg the question why Barnard didn't send his
malt directly to London himself; perhaps he did to a certain extent but
couldn't as a grower devote as much time to 'retailing' as he might have
done. But again I am only guessing wildly here.
Caroline has corrected me on this, I'd confused John Barnard (a malster
and miller) with his brother William (the farmer), which still suggests
possible/likely points of connection between Barnard and Fawbert.
At any rate, Fawbert must have been considerably successful, for he
evidently entrusted Barnard with overseeing a very substantial legacy. I
have found one source that says his legacy to the school amounted to
£8,000....therefore Fawbert's very substantial bequest would have allowed
quite some school to be founded.
'Forwards & Backwards school', as local children have known it for
donkeys' years, is quite an impressive building, though I'd be surprised if
it cost £8000 to build. I imagine the bequest covered long term running
expenses too.
Therefore, for Fawbert's name to be given to the school he left a
bequest for is quite usual. For his executor's name to be used as well
seems a little more unusual, and purely in itself with no supporting
evidence this would suggest that Barnard had, at least locally, at least
as much standing as a local benefactor as the merchant who gave £8,000
....Would I be right in assuming that he was indeed a
noted local benefactor of some repute locally?
The Barnard family were local notables and as Caroline's Seedtime and
Harvest book states, John was a very prosperous man.
Part two to follow...
Lawrence.
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