Calcutta schools c late 1700s

Newspapers, particularly the advertisements, are a source of information about little known schools.

Researcher David Atkinson has indicated that there are a number of newspapers published in India on the subscription website Eighteenth Century Journals which provide information about Calcutta schools which may not be available elsewhere. The following information comes from newspapers on that website, mainly supplied by David.

Mr Aldwell’s School c 1785

WILLIAM ALDWELL, late PARISH CLERK of this Presidency, BEGS leave to acquaint the Public, that he has opened a School, opposite to the Old Fousdar's near the Moorgy Hattah; where Youth of both sexes are neatly Boarded, and taught Reading, Writing, Grammar, and Arithmetic, on the lowest terms: viz. Boarding, Schooling, Washing, Lodging and Attendance, at 25 sicca rupees per month; Day Scholars, from four to six rupees.
N. B. For the convenience of such children as live far from the School, half Boarders are received at 10 sicca rupees; viz. for their dinner and Schooling.
India Gazette, or, Calcutta Public Advertiser, Volume 05 – 24 January 1785 - Issue 219

Mrs Beck’s School c 1800

SCHOOL FOR YOUNG LADIES.
MRS. BECK late of Bombay, by the Approbation and Advice of her Friends, begs Leave to acquaint the Public, that she has opened a SCHOOLat Calcutta, for the purpose of Boarding and Instructing Young Ladies, in the various Branches of Education.
Such Ladies—their Parents, or Guardians, as may be pleased to give Mrs. BECK their Recommendations, may depend upon every degree of Care and Attention being paid to them.
The House is in an Airy and Healthy situation on the Chitpore Road No. 154, Calcutta.
15th September, 1800.
Bombay Courier, Volume 09 - 11 Oct 1800 - Issue 420

Mrs Copeland’s School c 1789-1792

Boarding School, for Young Ladies, MRS. COPELAND having been advised by many of her Friends to undertake the Superintendance of the Education of young Ladies, respectfully acquaints the Public, that she has taken that large and convenient House, formerly occupied by Mr.Luard, near the Boitaconnah, which she has fitted up for the Purpose.
Mrs. C. assures such Parents or Guardians as may be pleased to entrust their Children or Wards to her Care, that the most unremitting Attention shall be paid to every part of their Education; and hopes, by their frequently visiting her, and observing her mode of Conduct towards the Children, they will express that Satisfaction to which alone she shall look for Success.
Mrs. COPELAND, considering the heavy Expence attending the Education of Children in this Country, will endeavour to obviate the Inconveniences, by the Reasonableness of her Charges, which will be made known on Application to her:-
The House is very airy and convenient, and is situated in the Centre of a large and well laid out Piece of Ground.
Calcutta, August 13th, 1789.
Calcutta Chronicle; and General Advertiser, Volume 04 - 27 Aug 1789 - Issue 188

BOARDING SCHOOL.
MRS. COPELAND respectfully acquaints her Friends and the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Settlement, that she has taken that large and commodious House belonging to Mr. SUKEAS, next door to Mr. LEAL’S in the Lane nearly opposite to Mr. NICHOLASCHARLES’S Europe Shop, where she proposes boarding and education YOUNG LADIES, in READING, WRITING, and NEEDLE-WORK.
Mrs. C. hopes the Assiduity and Attention which she intends uniformly to pay to the Morals of such Children as may be committed to her Charge, will meet with the Approbation of those who may be pleased to favour her with their Countenance and Support.
Calcutta Gazette, Volume 17 - 12 April 1792- Issue 424

Mrs Darley’s School c 1790-1792

MRS. DARLEY begs leave to inform her Friends and the Public, that she has removed to the House lately inhabited by Messrs. Fergusson and Fairlie, on the south side of the great Tank, where she purposes carrying on the MILLENERY BRANCH, as heretofore, and hopes for a continuance of their favours.
By the Advice of Mrs. DARLEY's Friends, and with a view of having her Grand-children educated under her own inspection, she intends speedily opening a BOARDING SCHOOL for ten young Ladies, where they shall be taught, in as perfect a manner as at any School in Calcutta ;—and being a mother herself, she hopes, that the maternal care she will take of those children entrusted to her charge, will ever give satisfaction to the parents or Guardians.
Terms 40 sicca Rupees per month, for English, Writing, and Needle Work—Music, French, and Dancing, to be paid for separately.
Mrs. DARLEY has provided herself with an able Assistant in the MILLENERY LINE.
Calcutta Chronicle; and General Advertiser, Volume 05 - 1 Apr 1790 - Issue 219

Mrs. DARLEY BY the advice of her Friends, and with a view of having her Grand Children educated under her own inspection, has opened a BOARDING SCHOOL FOR YOUNG LADIES, at No 5, Cossitollah Street, near the Esplanade, where they will be taught every useful branch of Education; and being a Mother herself; she hopes the maternal care she will take of the Children entrusted to her charge will give entire satisfaction.
May 17, 1792
Calcutta Gazette, Volume 17 - 17 May 1792 - Issue 428

Mrs Duncan’s School c 1786

BOARDING SCHOOL.
MRS. DUNCAN begs leave to inform her Friends and the Public, that she intends opening a SCHOOL for educating young Ladies, upon very reasonable terms, in an airy and retired pleasant garden, on the banks of the river, opposite Calcutta, near the Orphan School, to the northward. She will instruct them in Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, and Needle Work; also in making up Millinary, and Mantua-making; and will take the utmost care and pay the greatest attention in instilling into their young minds, virtuous and religious principles—Particulars may be known by applying to Mr.DUNCAN in Calcutta, at his Marine Store-House, Jackson's Gaut, or at the Gardens above mentioned.
N. B. As Mrs. DUNCAN means to take but a few Scholars, unremitted pains will be taken in forwarding their education.
Calcutta Gazette; or, Oriental Advertiser, Volume 05 - 8 Jun 1786 - Issue 119

Mr Hope’s School c 1790

For many years past; the parents and guardians of children have been under the indispensible necessity of sending them to Europe, for the benefit of a good education.-The Custom keeps its ground-but the necessity of the measure has been long on the decline. We have now some respectable academies for young gentlemen, and a few boarding schools for young ladies, regulated on plans which deserve encouragement.
We are informed that Mr. Hope's annual play, performed by the young gentlemen of his school, is to be represented this year at the Calcutta theatre.-The performances of these young gentlemen have every year gained Mr. Hope additional reputation, and we understand, that the reason of his being allowed the use of the theatre for that night, is owing to his own room at the Academy, not being large enough to admit so numerous a company as have already expressed their wishes to be present at the next performance.
Calcutta Chronicle; and General Advertiser, Volume 04 - 22 Oct 1790 - Issue 196

Miss Pippard’s School c 1788

MISS PIPPARD, BY the Advice of many of her Friends, who have kindly promised their Support and Assistance, means to establish a BOARDING SCHOOL for YOUNG LADIES, and BOYS under Seven years of Age, and having already experienced their friendship, by receiving a few Boarders, she has with the Intention of prosecuting her present Plan, taken one of Colonel Pearse's elegant House at Chowringee, lately occupied by Mr Grant, of Penares, which is now furnished and ready for the Reception of Boarders.
Miss P. purposes to teach ENGLISH grammatically, as likewise WRITING and NEEDLE-WORK, and to board and clothe her Scholars, at the Rate of 50 Rupees per Month.
French, One Gold Mohr,
Music, One Gold Mohr,
Dancing, One Gold Mohr, Per Month.
No Entrance-Money is required.
Calcutta Chronicle; and General Advertiser, Volume 03 - 2 Oct 1788 - Issue 141

Mrs Stone’s School c 1788

Mrs. STONE RESPECTFULLY begs Leave to inform the Ladies and Gentlemen of Calcutta, that she intends opening, on the 1st of JUNE next, A BOARDING-SCHOOL FOR YOUNG LADIES, Where they will receive every Branch of polite and useful Education, upon the most reasonable Terms.
Mrs. STONE trusts that the she is adequate to the Task she is going to undertake; and hopes to give general Satisfaction to those Parents who are pleased to favour her with the Care of their Children, as it will be her chief Study to recommend herself to them by the Attention she will pay to the Cultivation of their Minds.
Mrs. STONE will be extremely obliged to her Friends, and to those Ladies and Gentlemen who may please to honour her with their Commands, to direct their Address to the Printing-Office, from whence it will be forwarded to her, and an immediate Answer given.
Calcutta, 15th May, 1788.
Calcutta Chronicle; and General Advertiser, Volume 03 - 15 May 1788- Issue 121

Boarding- School for young Ladies.
Mrs. STONE (late Bagshaw) RESPECTFULLY informs Ladies and Gentlemen, that she has taken that large, airy, and commodious HOUSE, formerly occupied by Sir Robert Chambers, and lately by the Rev. Mr. Kiernander near Mr. Bristow's, at Chouringee, as A BOARDING –SCHOOL FOR YOUNG LADIES, Where they will receive every branch of polite and useful Education, upon the most reasonable Terms.
Mrs. STONE trusts that she is adequate to the Task she is going to undertake; and hopes to give general Satisfaction to those Parents who are pleased to favour her with the Care of their Children, as it will be her chief Study to recommend herself to them by the Attention she will pay to the Cultivation of their Minds.
Mrs. STONE will be extremely obliged to her Friends, and to those Ladies and Gentlemen who may please to honour her with their Commands, to direct to her as above.
Calcutta, 15th May, 1788.
Calcutta Chronicle; and General Advertiser, Volume 03 - 12 Jun 1788 - Issue 125

BOARDING SCHOOL CHOURINGEE,
MRS. STONE begs Leave to inform her Friends, and the Public in Generals that she has been induced, by the Encouragement she has already met with, and the flattering hopes of its Continuance, to remove from the Lower-roomed House, she now occupies, to that large commodious Upper-roomed House,belonging to CHARLES GRANT, Esq. situated at the Corner of the Chouringee Road, leading to Russapuglah, the which the hopes will be considered most airy and eligible for the preservation of the health of the Children entrusted to her Care, to which, and their Morals, the will ever pay the strictest Attention.
Mrs. STONE will take Possession of the House described, on the first day of next Month, where they will continue to receive Young Ladies as Boarders, or Day Scholars; also Boys under six of seven Years of age, on Terms which she has every Reason to hope will give general Satisfaction.
Calcutta, 22d Sept. 1788.
Calcutta Chronicle; and General Advertiser, Volume 03 - 2 Oct 1788 - Issue 141

Mr Ward’s School c 1785

I. B. WARD,TAKES the liberty to acquaint his friends and the public in general, that he has open'd a School at No.59 in the Loll Bazar for teaching Reading, Writing, Arethmetic, Mensuration of Superfices and Solids, Navigation, Merchants. Accompts, and other branches of Education necessary to complete youth for the Sea, Trade, or Public Offices.
Mr. Ward at the same time takes this opportunity to returns his most grateful thanks to his friends, and all others who honoured him with their commands in the Commission Business, and begs leave to assure them, that all who may honour him with the charge of educating their children, may depend on his utmost exertions in bringing them forward; and as he has entirely laid aside all thoughts, of any other employment, and intends to devote himself entirely to the care of his school, he flatters himself he shall be able to give general satisfaction.
India Gazette, or, Calcutta Public Advertiser, Volume 05 - 12 Sep 1785 - Issue 252

Mr Williams’ School c 1785

NEW ACADEMY.
MR. William Philips Williams, begs leave to inform his Friends, and the Public in general, that he has opened an Academy for the Boarding and Education of young Gentlemen and Ladies, where they will be fully instructed in all the branches of polite and useful Education. Such as, Latin, French, English, Music, Dancing,Arithmetic, Merchant's Accompts, Writing and Reading the English Language Grammatically, Geography, Needle Work, and Drawing. At the following rates, viz.
For Young Ladies.
Boarding and teaching Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, and Needle Work, 50 Rupees per month, and 50 Rupees entrance. Dancing, 16 Rs. per month; Music, 16 do. French, 10 do. Geography, 10 do. For the sum of two-hundred Rupees per Annum, the young Ladies will be found in all necessary clothing.
N. B. Not more than twelve young Ladies will be boarded.
For Young Gentlemen.
Boarding and teaching Latin, Merchant's Accompts, Arithmetic, Reading, and Writing, 50 Rs. per month, and 50 Rs. entrance. Dancing, 16 Rs. per month; French, 10 do. Drawing, 10 do. Geography, 10 do. For the sum of one-hundred and fifty Rs.per Annum, the boys will be properly clothed.
All Doctor's bills to be defrayed by the Parents or Guardians.
The inconveniencies and expence attending the Education of children, born in India, are so manifest, that Mr. Williams hopes he will meet with every encouragement in the establishing a Public Academy, which, by a proper attention and management, will, in a great measure, supserede the necessity of sending children to so great a distance, for an education, which they may receive here. To wean them from the habits, the manners, and language of this country, as it is the most essential point, so will it be his principal care and attention; To effectuate which, with a greater certainty, he has chosen a large Garden, in a retired situation, at a short distance from Calcutta, where he means to hold his Academy, which will be ready for the reception of children on the 1st day of January next.
For further particulars, please to apply to Messrs. Alexander and Co.
India Gazette, or, Calcutta Public Advertiser, Volume 05 - 3 January 1785-Issue 216

Advertisements for teachers

• Wanted, at a BOARDING SCHOOL,

AN European Assistant; he must write a good hand, understands accounts, and if acquainted with the practical Mathematics, it will be an additional recommendation. Suitable encouragement will be given to a Person of abilities, sobriety, and good morals.

Also, an English Woman, of unexceptionable character, to assist occasionally in teaching and taking care of the younger Children.

Likewise, a smart boy as an Apprentice; an English lad would have the preference. Apply at the old Fousdar’s, near the Moorgy-hatah.

Calcutta, March 22, 1782

India Gazette, or, Calcutta Public Advertiser, Volume 02 - 23 Mar 1782 - Issue 71

• Orphan Society.

Wanted, by the Managers,

AT THE ORPHAN SCHOOL,

A PERSON as TUTORESS, or FIRST SCHOOL MISTRESS for the FEMALE Children of Officers,

Application for this Employment to be made to WILLIAM JACKSON, Esq. Deputy Governor of the Society, at his House, late the Hindustan [Bank?] or to Mr. ACKLAND, Secretary, at his house, No. 93, Durromollah.

By Order of the Managers, HENRY ACKLAND, Secretary.

18th November, 1789.

Calcutta Chronicle; and General Advertiser, Volume 04 – 26 Nov 1789- Issue 201

External Links

• "Old Calcutta :It’s Schoolmasters" article in the Calcutta Review July 1913 held on website of Madge Family of Bengal.