Benjamin KETTLE, Schoolmaster and Landowner at Bottisham
Benjamin KETTLE was, for 70 years, Master of the Free School at Bottisham. He was also a small-scale landowner and, according to the published outcome of the Bottisham Enclosure Act of 1801, he was allocated three plots of land, totalling some 21.3 acres. One plot lay off what is now Bell Road, Bottisham, another off Lode Road, and a third off Fen Road, Lode.
Sir Roger and Lady Elizabeth Jenyns founded The Free School at Bottisham in 1728 and endowed it with �20 per annum for the education of 20 poor children and clothing for the same; the children and the Master were 'appointed' by the proprietor of Bottisham Hall (Jenyns).
The dress of the boys was a green coat with a green cap and red tassel; that of the girls was a green dress with a white cap and white bonnet. The School-House stood in the High Street not far from the Church. Above the doorway was a representation of a 'green coat boy' and the arms of the Jenyns family.
Benjamin Kettle was preceded as Master of The Free School at Bottisham by one Daniel Woolard who was buried at Bottisham November 12th 1746, and he was succeeded by John Dilliston, when by agreement, the Free School was incorporated in the National School of the Parish.
Benjamin Kettle's Will
Kettle Benjamin Bottisham.
In the Name of God Amen I Benjm. Kettle of Bottisham in the County of Cambridge Schoolmaster being of sound mind and Memory do make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say First I Give and devise to my beloved Wife Sarah Kettle all my Estate both real and Personal that I shall be possessed of at the time of my Decease Except one Copyhold right of Common Lying in Bottisham Fen and near to Bottisham Load the same being one third part of my Allotment now in the tenure of Richard Flack also a small piece of land in Bottisham Street being also Copyhold late Wm. Goldens the same I Give and Devise to my Grandson Richard Crofts Wheeler immediately after my decease The above said Real and personal Estate I give to my said beloved Wife Sarah Kettle for and during her natural life except what is before Excepted by my Copyhold Estates and small Piece of Ground in Bottisham Street which is given to Richard Crofts Wheeler immediately after my Decease And after the decease of my Wife Sarah Kettle all my said Real and Personal Estate given to the said Sarah Kettle my said Wife for her said Life The same I give and devise to my Grandson Richard Crofts Wheeler and to his Heirs He paying thereout to his Mother Martha Wheeler Wife of Richard Wheeler of Cambridge Basket Maker the sum of One hundred pounds One Year after the decease of his Grandmother Sarah Kettle and lastly her the said Sarah Kettle I appoint Executrix with my Grandson Richard Crofts Wheeler also Executor of this my last Will and Testament Whereunto I have set my hand and seal this Twenty sixth day of November in the Year of our Lord Eighteen Hundred and Ten - Benjm. Kettle (Seal) - Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Benjm. Kettle Testator as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto set our Names at Witnesses - George King - Elizabeth King - Eliz. (her X mark) Pluck -
Proved by the Oath of Richard Crofts Wheeler the Executor above named (Sarah Kettle the Executrix having departed this life in the life time of the Testator) Before The Revd. J. Shepard Clk. Surr. &c
January 8th 1817
Effects sworn under £1000
Footnote
This was kindly supplied by Geoffrey Woollard email: