Reminiscences

Frederick Hobley was born at Thame, Oxfordshire, in 1833. This extract describes his education at dame school, and at the National School, where he was later 'employed' as a monitor at a halfpenny a day. At sixteen he went to the Oxford Diocesan Training School at Summertown (later removed to Culham) and after a three-year course was appointed to take charge of the school at Narberth, Pembrokeshire, with three pupil-teachers to assist him. He continued teaching until 1871 when he resigned to become a commercial traveller and, later, a book-keeper, finally retiring in 1899.

My earliest recollection carries me back to the time when I was not quite three years of age. Then I was sent to a Dame's School, kept for very young children by a person named Whitehead, situated on the left hand side, and near the top, of Friday Street, a brewery finishing up this side of the street, but I do not remember the name of the brewer. I have a distinct remembrance of the teacher giving me a needle and thread and a piece of rag to pass away my time during one of the afternoons.