Author Margaret Dowland
Joseph Flower Birt 1826-1829
Joseph was born in 1797 in Gloucester, where he was a chorister and then organist, playing at several churches in the area. It was here that he met his wife, Elizabeth Ford, marrying her in 1824. After his marriage he applied for a post of organist at St Clement Danes in London. His application was unsuccessful, and so he changed his course in life, enrolling at the Central School in London, where Dr Bell’s theory of Education was taught. On completing his training he was appointed by Lord Suffield as the first Headmaster of Antingham and Southrepps School.
His daughters Elizabeth and Sarah Anne were born in 1826 and 1828. Joseph relinquished his post as Headmaster in March of 1829, with the family moving to North Walsham. Unfortunately there is no information as to what post he went to. Then tragedy struck the family as his wife Elizabeth died in March 1830. She is buried at St Margaret’s Thorpe Market in an unmarked grave. Three months later Joseph married Martha Chestlebugh in North Walsham Church. Joseph died 16 years later in North Walsham, where he is buried.
John Wortley 1829-1854
John Wortley was born in Ludham in 1795, marrying Charlotte Parslee on Christmas Eve 1827 at St Peter Mancroft Norwich. The 1841 census shows them living in the school house with their son, two-year-old Robert, and 15-year-old Mary Anne Cole, servant. Charlotte died in 1850 at the age of 46 and is buried in the church yard at St Margaret’s Thorpe Market. John continued to live at the school house with Robert and a new house servant, 20-year-old Mary Ann Bunn. His retirement from the school was probably in 1854, as there was an advertisement in the Norfolk Chronicle in February of that year for a married couple wanted at Lord Suffield’s School.
By 1861 he was a farmer of 40 acres, living in Thorpe Market with his son Robert and their housekeeper Mary Warton. He died in 1863 and is buried next to his wife at St Margaret’s Thorpe Market.J
John Elden 1854-1877
John Elden was born in Aylsham in 1836. Although the 1854 advertisement for the post of Headmaster called for a married couple, John was successful in being appointed as a single man, and only 18 years of age. This seems a surprisingly young age for such an appointment. John lived with his mother Elizabeth, elder sister Emily.
In 1877 he lost his post as Headmaster as he was not sufficiently qualified for the new Board School. He moved to Trimingham Road, Southrepps as an Estate Agent’s clerk, living on his own as his sister Emily had died the same year. He died in 1888 at the age of 52. He is buried next to his sister, at St Margaret’s, Thorpe Market.