The George Evans boys boarding and day School

 

Eastbourne House, 28 Bridewell Street, Devizes, Wiltshire.

 

George Evans ran a Boys boarding school on Northgate Street, Devizes from 1830; he advertised in the 1830 Robson directory. Some time in or before 1839 he moved this school to Bridewell Street. There he ran a boys boarding and day school from at least 1839 to at least 1862 in Eastbourne House, 28 Bridewell Street Devizes (below right). The 1839 date comes from an article in the Wiltshire Gazette of the 4th August 1910. It also states that the school had between 60 and 70 boys. The 1862 date comes from the 1861 census when Mr Evans was then 64 years old; he presumably finished the school year in 1862 and retired

 

Eastbourne House was built in about 1831 and is now a grade 2 listed building (see the English Heritage listing in the appendix). It is large house with 3 storeys, a cellar and a large garden.

 

George Evans was born in Collingbourne, Wiltshire in 1797. Maria his wife was also from Collingbourne and 4 years younger. In 1841 they had 3 children at home aged 8, 7 and 5.

 

The 1841 to 1861 censuses provides some useful information about the set up of the school, at least those who were resident in Eastbourne House.

 

The chart below and to the left shows that up to about 1861 Mr Evans only employed 1 other teacher. In 1861 he had 2 teachers beside himself.  The number of boys that boarded varied between 16 and 8. and they were aged between 11 and 15 years old. Almost all were from within Wiltshire. 

From the Gazette evidence the school was substantially a day school providing an education for up to 50 or so additional boys to the boarders. We know very little of the curriculum save that the skills of the teachers listed in the 1861 census are English, French and drawing.

The 1841 to 1861 censuses provides some useful information about the set up of the school, at least those who were resident in Eastbourne House.

The chart to the right shows that up to about 1861 Mr Evans only employed 1 other resident teacher in 1861 he had 2 teachers beside himself.  Presumably he had other non-resident teachers to help with the large number of day and boarding scholars.

 

The number of boys that boarded varied between 16 and 8. The boarders were aged between 11 and 15 years old and almost all were from within Wiltshire.

 

From the Gazette evidence the school was substantially a day school providing an education for up to 50 or so additional boys to the boarders. We know very little of the curriculum save that the skills of the teachers listed in the 1861 census are English, French and drawing.

 

In 1871 George and Maria Evans were retired and living in Laura Cottage, Hurst in Berkshire with their daughter, a niece and 1 servant.  

 

Appendix

 

The English Heritage listing for Eastbourne House, 28 Bridewell Street, Devizes

 

Date listed: 19 September 1972, Date of last amendment: 19 September 1972

Grade II, Image of England reference number: 431551

 

1. 1042 BRIDEWELL STREET (South East Side) No 28 SU 0061 3a/83 9.4.54. II GV 2. It was built circa 1830-40. It has 3 storeys and cellars and is made of red brick on a stone plinth. It has a low pitch gable end slate roof with flanking chimneys. It has flat moulded eaves cornice on header dentils approximately 9 inches apart. It has 5 windows to upper floors, the centre one blind on 2nd floor. It has 4 windows to ground floor. All recessed 2 light casements with marginal glazing, stepped stucco voussoir heads except on 2nd floor where windows simply have keystones. Central recessed door of 4 fielded panels and 2 flush panels in plain stone surround under good Tuscan porch, columns to front, pilasters to wall, with entasis. Entablature over. 2 cellar windows with grills. Numbers 23 to 31 (consecutively) form a group.