John FENN of Woodbridge [6324]

  General Notes:

John was a schoolmaster of Woodbridge.

The earliest Fenn in Woodbridge was known as Samson Fenn who was born before 1595. He married Margaret and had a son, Samson baptised on 4 December 1617 at St. Mary's Parish Church, </pictures/stmarych.jpg>in Woodbridge. He may have observed the riots after 1627 over taxes to pay for Charles I's expedition to France. And during the Civil War,the townfolk of Woodbridge were firm supporters of Cromwell. Samson and other Fenns may have died during the outbreak of the plague in Woodbridge in 1665 when over 300 inhabitants died and were buried on Bearman's Hill (between Victoria Road and Castle Street).

Other early Fenn's include Toby Fenn (died. 1730), Mathew Fenn (born abt 1720), Mary Fenn (born about 1746). Little else is known about these Fenn's however their do appear to be two branches of Fenns in the town at that time.
John Fenn, our direct ancestor, was born around 1766. He was an educated man and became a Schoolmaster. He opened an Academy on Cumberland Street in about 1785 and soon married his first wife, Sarah. He was married three times: Sarah Scarlyn in 1788, Elizabeth Dowsing in 1811 and Mary Ann Howard in 1817 and had 6 children (including John Fenn in 1795 who also become a schoolmaster).
Portion of 1827 port map of Woodbridge showing John Fenn's land (Woodbridge Public Library)
It was during these years that John Fenn's Academy flourished on Cumberland Street. In 1827 he owned a large home off Cumberland Street which is now known as Athenrye Court. The home was built originally in the 17th century and extensively enlarged in the 18th century. John Fenn took day students and in 1832 he taught the foundation scholars from Woodbridge School due to the delay in opening of that school as it awaited its headmaster. From his writings we know that John Fenn was a stern Headmaster who taught the scriptures along with strict moral virtues.

In 1843, John Fenn retired after 58 years as a schoolmaster and published his book, The Schoolmasters Legacy and Family Monitor. </pictures/legacy.jpg> The book is still available both at the British Library and the Woodbridge Town Library. An excerpt gives the flavour of the book,
Ye youths, one lesson let me give to you,
My wish is honest, what I tell you, true;
This is the time, your's is the happy hour,
Improve your minds from learning's pleasing flow'r,
Cull all the sweets, remember now's the time,
Nor e'er neglect your studies in your prime;
So may you reap the wishes and the ends
Propos'd -- your country's pride, the glory of your friends.
May you, ye fair, of this much favor'd place,
Smile in good nature, and may every grace
Adorn you still; free from those wily arts
That lurk in cities, and that thrive in courts:
May each fond parent, view their offspring rise,
Honor'd, belov'd, industrious, good and wise;
May length of days, with riches crown each pair,
And Suffolk prove the Deity's kind care.
John Fenn left his Academy and spent his last years at the Seckford Alms House where he died in 1852. His Academy continued with his daughter Mary Ann Fenn as schoolmistress until after 1851 (along with Elizabeth). I presume she married and/or left the village.
John Fenn's son, also became a schoolmaster as well as an Inn Keeper. Born in 1795 to John and Sarah Fenn, young John married Elizabeth Payn in 1817 at Waldringham, Suffolk and they had at least 9 children (including Eliza). He first began an Academy in Framlingham, Suffolk in 1823 (Pigott's Directory). Later the family moved to Manningtree, Essex, where John Fenn was the innkeeper at the Kings Head Inn off the market square. The King's Head sign was King George the Third. It was situated on the north side of the Market Cross in Manningtree. It had a brewhouse in 1778 and must have been a fairly substantial establishment with a rateable value of L10 10s in 1793. In 1809 it was owned by Edward Alston. At one time the front parlour was hired on Market Day by Pages for doing business with farmers. The Inn is now closed and part of the premises used by a shop.
In around1857, John and Elizabeth Fenn and their son William (now working for the Railway) returned to Woodbridge and opened an Academy on Castle Street. Here in 1861, they took care of Thomas John Lewis, age 4.(our great grandfather) after his mother was at the death-bed of Alfred King Lewis.
In the 1861 census Castle Street was described as Woodbridge & Welford ED14. including the Western diversion of Castle Street from Rouses' (late) Coes' cottages on the southside and from Mrs Breckles cottage on the North side. Bradfield St. not including the "Wagon & Horse Inn". All the cotteges in Shipmenton. The lane from Castle St and the cottages behind it leading to Mill Hills and the cottages adjoinging the mill and Bakers houses. The Sandy hill and Home Lane.
The family moved to 236 Castle Street in 1871 after John and Elizabeth Fenn had retired and there William continued the tradition of Schoolmaster. The family died out or left Woodbridge by 1881.
Today there are no Fenn's living in Woodbridge. Only the remnants of a family -- a home on Cumberland St, a dusty book in the library.
Ref: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~morgan/cheryl/fenn.html

Ipswich Journal 15 May 1834
To be sold at auction.
Thursday 20th March 1834
Dwellinghouse & premises in Cumberland or Thorofare St Woodbridge, in occupation of Mr Fenn Schoolteacher. Brickbuilt dwelling house plus outbuildings and another messuage used as a school house etc. . . . .

Ipswich Journal 14 Jan 1843.
The School Masters Legacy.
By G Fenn.
Fifty Eight Years Schoolmaster, Woodbridge.
The first impression of 500 copies being disposed of and insufficient to supply all his friends, Mr F proposes a second edition. He, therefore requests the favour of future subscribers to send their names and residences, together with the number of copies, to him or Mr Loder printer, as soon as convenient. Jan 12th 1843.

John married Sarah SCARLIN [6325] [MRIN: 2119].