One of the most progressive and influential people in Gosberton during Victorian times was Charles F. Boyer. Mr Boyer who was born at Witham on the Hill a round 1830 ran a middle class school of national repute at Gosberton Hall (sadly now demolished).
A graduate of London University Mr Boyer started to teach as a youth. He was Assistant master at a private school near Gainsborough and later at Market Rasen. In 1849 he opened his own school at Sleaford in rooms in the Market Place with 30 pupils. After six weeks the Principal of the old Sleaford school died and the school closed. Most of the pupils transferred to Mr Boyer’s school which prospered until 1863 with about 60 pupils about half of whom were resident.
Following an outbreak of fever he transferred his school to Gosberton Hall in January 1864. This house had been built by Mrs Jane Smith in 1826 for the exhorbitant sum for those days of £10, 000.
Here he had as many as seventy boarders as well as many day pupils. The school became widely known and well respected, former pupils occupying prominent positions in most parts of England and beyond.
Pictures on this and following pages give some indication of how grand the building was.
As a founder of the literary Institute Mr Boyer was presented with a handsome testimonial at a public meeting in 1863 shortly before the move to Gosberton.
A leading Wesleyan, local preacher and active temperance worker he pioneered many efforts to improve the social, moral and religious elevation of the people of Gosberton. He was instrumental with Major Casswell and other leading citizens in the building and running of the Public Hall and the new Wesleyan Chapel.
Mr Boyer died at Gosberton Hall in October 1884 at the age of 64 having been ill for two years. The school was then taken over by his son Charles.
Content from a book called “The Gosberton Area
– A glimpse into the past
4 Responses
I have a colorized picture of the one you have posted on your page of the boys playing tennis(?). You probably already have it, but if you’d like I can send you a digital copy of it. It does have some writing on the bottom of the picture saying that my grandfather attended there 1902-1906.
Yes please – Chainbridgeforge@gmail.com regards Geoff
I’m in the process of researching my family history and have found two newspaper articles for two Great Uncles who attended the school in the late 1890’s/early 1900’s.
As these were the younger brothers of John Christoper Mason of Benniworth, I am presuming he was possibly schooled here as well and wondered if you had any records available to confirm this.
His brothers were Arthur Bett Mason who gained a 2nd class distinction in book keeping according to an article in the Stamford Mercury on 6th February 1903. He eventually moved to Nottingham and was something to do with a typewriter factory which Mum can remember visiting.
The other brother was William Robert Mason. He sadly passed away in 1907, age 22 years. I have been unable to find out any more details as yet.
My Great Grandma was Louisa Ellen Mason and they were the children of John and Georgiana Mason of The Grange, Benniworth. If you have any information and could advise how I can obtain copies, I would be most appreciative.
Kind Regards
Carol Davies
Hi I have asked someone for help. Let’s see what happens. Regards Geoff