Copy of Memorial to Abp of York from Inhabitants of Old Malton April 26 1834 praying(?) his Grace to appoint a Master.

April 26 1834

My Lord Archbishop

On the part of ouselves, and the other inhabitants of Old Malton, who are interested in the appointment of a master to our free Grammar School, we respectfully beg leave to advise your Grace on that subject.

The Revd John Richardson as your Grace is aware , has now been dead nearly three months, we are informed that the Revd William Travis who was appointed to the school has tendered his resignation of it, and we are further told that other Gentlemen who have been solicitous for the Mastership have also declined it. Under these circumstances, and if it will not be deemed improper, or intrusive, on our parts, and with the greatest anxiety for the welfare of the school, we would venture to propose to your Grace, under the full impression that we have no master in view that we may be permitted to select and recommend for the appointment some fit and well educated Gentleman who on examination by your Grace shall be found qualified for the situation.

We conclude from the Mastership being so long vacant that the inadequacy of the stipend must be the cause, we are of opinion that we shall be fully authorized in representing to any Classical scholar in Holy orders, that in addition to the present Stipend, which with the House, Garden and Land, we estimate as equal to £120 pr annum, a number of day scholars may be had always from New Malton to pay not less than £10 per annum, and that there will be reasonable hope of obtaining (as the last Master did obtain) clerical duties on the Sabbath day, producing not less than £50 per annum, exclusive of the boarding school can and shall altogether realizing an income of from £200 to £300 a year, exclusive of the boarding school, for which the House and situation altogether are so well adapted.

Your Grace will perceive that if our ideas can be realized the appointment will command the talents of a Scholar, and so certain does the matter seem to us that if we could meet with a Gentleman in every way qualified for the situation, we believe we could ensure him the above income for at least the first two years, afterwards of course every thing must depend upon himself.

Your Grace will also perceive that we can have no other object at heart than the prosperity of the School, and by yielding to our wishes we shall feel assured of your forgiveness for our intruding on your time and attention.

We have the Honour to remain &

Signed by