Shropshire Routes to Roots - Shropshire places - Wem
by Samuel Garbet
PEARCE RODERIC, born at, or near Oswestry, was the first master of the second school. He was elected in 1650, by the interest, and on the recommendation of his brother Richard, the chief master, whom he survived eight years. He was an inn-holder, and probably, suffered much by the great fire in 1677. After this misfortune, he built, at great expense, a large house, now known by the sign of the Red Lion. He had two wives, Jane and Margaret. Jane died in 1666, and Margaret in 1675. By the first he had a son in 1653, by the other a son in 1669. He himself died April 27th, 1682.
THOMAS WOTTON, born at Adney, in the parish of Edgmond, and county of Salop, was elected in 1682. He was instructed in grammar learning, at Newport school, in the said county, and from thence sent to the university of Cambridge. As he stayed but a short time at Wem, he left nothing memorable behind him, only it is said, that he went from hence to London, was sometime lecturer of Islington, in the county of Middlesex, and afterwards curate of St. Lawrence, Jury.
JOHN COLLIER, born at Brescot, in the parish of Gnosal, in the county of Stafford, was elected September 19th, 1687. He had his education at Newport school, in the county of Salop, and in Sidney college, Cambridge, where he commenced master of arts. The curacy of Edstaston, in the parish of Wem, was a great addition to the profits of the school. He purchased a good house, with a large garden in an alley, which lies between the Noble and High-street. In 1710, he succeeded Mr. Williams in the vicarage of Great Nesse, and in 1712, he resigned the school which he had so much neglected, that the feoffees designed to eject him. He afterwards procured the rectory of Petton, enjoyed it a considerable time, and was buried at Wem, April 25th, 1732. By his wife Margaret, the widow of Mr. John Hayward, of the Woodhouse, he had three daughters. Mr. Collier was of a middle stature, and sanguine complexion, his face being a little enflamed by drinking. He was not eminent as a scholar, or a divine, but was well respected as a sportsman, and a good companion. On this account, he was much in favour with Mr. Hill, of Soulton, and Mr. Sandford, of Twembloes. He was very busy at elections of knights of the shire, and on this score, he was in the good graces of Henry, lord Newport, by whose interest he got the presentation to Great Nesse.
SAMUEL GARBET, born at Norton, in the parish of Wroxeter, in the county of Salop, was elected March 11th, 1712. He was sent from Donnington school to Oxford whilst he was very young, and June 12th, 1700, he was entered of Christ church. Mr. William Adams, editor of Cornelius Nepos, and author of a volume of sermons, was his tutor. May 23rd, 1704, he took the degree of batchelor of arts; September 22nd, 1706, was ordained deacon, and soon after licensed to the curacy of Great Nesse. July 6th, 1707, he proceeded master of arts. The relation he bore to, and the acquaintance he had with Mr. Peter Edwards, induced him to accept of the school. In 1713, Richard, earl of Bradford, and Henry, lord Newport recommended him to doctor Chandler, for the curacy of Edstaston, which the doctor was inclined to give him out of his own good will, and affection for him. May 16th, 1714, he married Anna, daughter of John Edwards, of Great Nesse, gentleman, and next year published a literal translation of the two first books of Phedrus, for the use of his scholars. In 1724, when Mr. Peter Edwards resigned the chief school, all the feoffees came to his house, and offered the place to him, which he refused to accept, for several reasons. Having for thirty years kept up the credit of the school, and being in easy circumstances, he thought fit to retire from that toilsome employment, and at his leisure hours to compile these memoirs, for the information of posterity.
RALPH EDDOWS, born at Terrick-hall, near Whitchurch, in the county of Salop, was elected March 20th, 1742.
Page created 7 September 2003 and last updated 22 June 2007
