John Arthur Witter

In 1851, John Witter was enrolled in the newly founded teacher training college in Chester, Cheshire (see Sources). An etching, drawing and plan are shown in John Witter's picture file.

Wikipedia: Chester University was founded as Chester Diocesan Training College in 1839 by a distinguished group of local leading figures in the Church of England, including future Prime Ministers William Ewart Gladstone and the 14th Earl of Derby. It was the UK's first purpose-built teacher training college, which makes it one of the longest established higher education institutions in the country. In 1842, Gladstone opened the College's original buildings for its first intake of ten male student teachers on the Parkgate Road site, just outside the City Walls, that the University occupies today.

See also: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=yiwGAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA630&lpg=PA630...

In 1857, John Arthur Witter was involved in a performance of Handel's Messiah by the Barnard Castle Sacred Harmonic Society, and in 1858 he sang in the chorus in a performance of Haydn's Creation.

The Teesdale Mercury, 18th November 1859:

THE CEMETERY CHAPEL, BARNARD CASTLE. —A beautiful model of this building, has just been completed by Mr J . Witter, of Stainton, and may be seen in Mr Patton's shop window. The details of the edifice are well carried out, on a scale of half-an-inch to a foot, and every particular is faithfully copied. The style of architecture is Early English, and Mr Witter has, in a most ingenious manner, not only given the whole of the carved work,but has also supplied the minature windows with stained glass. The model will remain on view at Mr Patton's for a few days, and we advise our readers not to omit the opportunity of an inspection.

[Note: this chapel had just been built in 1859!].

The Teesdale Mercury, 11th April 1860:

The Chairman then proposed the health of Mr Atkinson, as editor of that part of " The Press" with which the district was most intimately connected. As editor of the Teesdale Mercury, Mr Atkinson had generously aided in spreading their opinions and desires, and for this he was entitled to their highest respect and best thanks. The toast was drunk with applause; and Mr Atkinson, in his reply, thanked them for the honour they had done him. He then briefly alluded to their Secretary, Mr Witter, whose services were at least equal to his own in furthering the object the Committee had in view; and he concluded by proposing Mr Witter's' health, (Cheers). Mr Witter in responding, said that he had been born and bred in a farming district and that farmers were a class of men he had much love and respect for—and a class of men in whose society he ever felt most happy and most at home. It was that which had rendered the task he had undertaken an easy and a pleasant one. It had been to him a labour of Jove—a pleasing pastime, and therefore little deserved their consideration. However he thanked them for the honour they had done him, and expressed himself ready at any time to render them like services whenever they should require them.

The Teesdale Mercury, 25th September 1861

The annual festival of the Barnard Castle and Stainton National Schools took place at Egliston Abbey on Friday last. The arrangements (which were under the supervision of the Rev. R. W. Teasdale, Mr J. J. Railey and Mr Witter) were carried out in the most satisfactory manner. The day was one of true enjoyment to all present.

Marriage announcement in The Teesdale Mercury, 2nd July 1862: At Gainford, on the 28th June 1862, by the Rev R. W. Teasdale, Curate of Barnard Castle, Mr John Arthur Witter, Master of the Endowed School, Stainton, to Miss Louisa C. M. Lucas, of Barnard Castle.

The Teesdale Mercury, 27th October 1869:

BARNARD CASTLE MECHANICS' INSTITUTE SCIENCE AND ART CLASSES.

The REV. F . BROWN then presented the prizes as follows:—

1. —Benjamin S. Beckwith—certificate, freehand drawing. 2. —John Dalston—freehand and geometry. 3. —Thomas Racher—freehand drawing, geometry, and prize—Barchett's Geometry. 4. —George H . Bailey—certificate, perspective and model drawing, and prize—box of instruments. 5. —John Walton—certificate, perspective. 6.—John Witter—certificate, freehand drawing, geometry, perspective, and model drawing, and prize— collection of Sepia Landscapes.

Teesdale Mercury, March 30th, 1870.

Barnard Castle Mechanics' Institute.— Science and Art Classes.—On Friday evening last, these classes were examined by Lieutenant Cunningham, R. E, the Government Inspector. The members of the Committee present, were the Rev. F. Brown, M.A. (president) the Rev. J. Brockbank, M.A., Mr J. Nixon, Mr W. Fieldhouse, Mr R. W. Atkinson and Mr J Monkhouse, (secretary). The Mechanical Drawing Class, which came most fully under observation at this visit of the Inspector was superintended by Mr J. Witter, the master. Lieutenant Cunningham minutely examined the attendance-roll of the members of the classes, and scrutinized the method of tuition employed, and pronounced himself favourably with regard to the whole. The explanations of the Secretary, who has diligently watched the progress of the classes, were considered highly satisfactory. An Indian-ink drawing of a steam-engine, on a large scale, by Thomas Patterson, one of the pupils, was deservedly commended by the committee, who also praised the mode of tuition Mr Witter has so successfully followed. A marked advance in the attainments of the pupils is perceptible: and a confident opinion was expressed by the committee that the institution of these classes has laid the groundwork for a high degree of Art education in Barnard Castle..

In 1871, both John and Louisa Caroline Malbon Witter were working as schoolteachers in Stainton, County Durham.

Teesdale Mercury, 13th March 1872

STAINTON. Testimonial to Mr. Witter.—Mr. Witter, schoolmaster and postmaster, being about to remove from Stainton to another field of labour in the north of the county, it has been resolved to present him with a farewell gift, in acknowledgement of his worth, and of the high esteem in which he is held throughout the district. Among the subscriptions already given are the following :—the Rev. F. Brown, M.A., Vicar, £1 Is ; the Rev. W. B. East, 10s; J. D. Holmes, Esq., 5s; Mr Philip Longstaff, 10s; Mr R. W. Atkinson, 10s. Subscriptions will be received by Mr Philip Longstaff, Stainton; Mr Bewick, Streatham ; Mr Amos, Marwood; Mr J. J. Bailey, Barnard Castle ; and at the Teesdale Mercury office.

The Teesdale Mercury, 3rd April 1872

PRESENTATION TO MR. WITTER, LATE OF STAINTON.

On Friday evening, the 22nd ult , notwithstanding the stormy and wintry aspect of the weather, a large and goodly company of the inhabitants of Stainton, assembledin the school-room to do honour to themselves and M r. J. A. Witter in the presenting to that gentleman a purse of gold. Mr Witter, by the display of every quality that endears "man to man," has won for himself a share in numerous hearts; while at the same time his many well directed and unceasing labours in the pathsof literature in connexion with this and other journals, as well as his varied intellectual attainments have rendered his name familiar far beyond the limits of his little rural home. And on this evening many hearts in the silent wishing of a sorrowful good speed to their departing friend, told more eloquently than the bestowing of gold of the love he leaves behind.

The Rev. W. B. EAST made the presentation, and in doing so alluded to the sudden changes that have taken place in and around Stainton lately, and characterized their present loss of Mr Witter, schoolmaster and friend as not the least important that had occurred to Stainton for many years. At best it will be long ere you can hope to get a successor like Mr. Witter, as that gentleman by his continued residence among you, has worked himself into such a knowledge of your wants that it must, and will be, a labour of some time that will give you a worthy substitute. Mr Witter has laboured among you for I believe seventeen years, a much longer time than schoolmasters generally stay in villages, and I can well imagine yours and his feeling in parting. It is not simply losing the schoolmaster, but in him you lose a spiritual teacher, or as we used to call him at Barnard Castle " the curate of Stainton," For many months you have heard him on the Sunday evenings giving lectures on that most important part of our nature—the soul. These lectures have been intensely gratifying to the Vicar and myself, and to you they have been undoubtedly very instructive. The loss of him as a personal friend, to me will be very great when in coming to Stainton there is no Mr. Witter, no Mrs. Witter, and no little flaxen heads in church belonging to the little Witters. As to his moral character, gentleness, kind and affectionate babits, I will not here speak, as you full well know that his most anxious wish was to make you happy, and improve all he came in contact with (applause). And now mr. Witter I beg to give you my earnest thanks for the kindness I have ever received from you, and further to present you with this purse of money,—representing by no means your deserts—but as some slight token of our love and hope for your future well-doing and success in the step you are about to take (applause).

Mr WITTER ( who was very much affected) responded by tendering his heartfelt thanks to the Vicar and Mr East for their many acts of kindness to him. To all he gave his most earnest thanks, and though the money would be no doubt useful yet their money was as nothing compared with their sympathy (applause). Labouring under a severe indisposition you must excuse me from making a speech, but rest assured that all I could say would not express that which I would say to you, for I have spent half my life among you and the other half has been spent in so many different places that I feel more like leaving home than ever I did before. There is this difference too between leaving the place of my birth and this home of my manhood, that the aspirations of boyhood—to see the world—made the first a pleasure, but the happiness I have enjoyed amongst you, at an age when such aspirations cease, makes the latter a heartfelt regret. Certainly my birthplace will ever remain sacred as the home of a love that can never be replaced, but who will deny my memory its rights to be often returning to Stainton. where I have so large a family; for every boy and girl I have trained and taught here, I shall ever iook upon as my adopted child and feel as anxious about his or her future welfare as I do about that of my own family. I have long felt that the discipline of sympathy was all we needed here and that it would effect as much in school as it would in my own house, and I feel too that the sympathy cannot be stamped out by a few hours ride on a railway or a few years of separation. Another source of happiness has been the uniform kindness of my school managers. If it were not for fear of being tedious it would be a pleasing duly to tell of the kindness of that kindhearted patron, adviser, and guide I first served under here; and i t seems to me a fact that if I meet with success in the future, I shall owe much of it to the teaching and kindness of my present manager. I feel in him a master "who has the same ideas as myself but sees much further, and such a man will rule me any day, and make me love my ruler." If I single out personal friends I should give you almost a census of the place. I feel as if I had'nt an enemy, but if I have I say from the heart, " bless him — I 'm sorry he does'nt know me." If my departure from you separate us in body it will not sever our chain of sympathy.

—"The magnet of my soul, Touched by remembrance "— will long "Tremble to this as its pole."

I shall never see a wildflower. or hear a bird sing without thinking of your green fields, till "Auld Lang Syne" comes up in all its freshness and makes their fragrance and their music doubly sweet And I can say candidly that I never took a step in life w i t h less apprehension of sorrow in the future: as I feel sure that a few shillings spent upon a railway ticket will soon set me down where associations and scenery will soon make me feel that "Worldly cares and worldly men. May all go top sail terry-o." (applause).

It was intimated to the meeting that the subscription list was intended to be kept open for some time longer under the care of Messrs. Longstaff and Bewick, as the testimonial committee intended to invite Mr Witter on some future day to a dinner and further testimonial.

See: etheses.dur.ac.uk/7955/1/7955_4953-vol1.PDF

First Head of Boys Department, Jarrow Grange School, in 1873

The following heads, all trained teachers holding First Class Certificates were appointed:- Boys' Department: Mr John Witter, commenced duty 21st April, 1873. Girls' Department: Miss Annie Jobling, commenced duty 2l st April, 1873. Infants' Department: Mrs. Louisa Witter, commenced duty 30th May, 1875.

Schoolmaster, Jarrow, Barnard Castle in 1881.

Lived at 150 Albert Road, Hedworth Monkton & Jarrow, Durham, England

From: Morley, W.M. (1969) The development of Hedworth Monkton and Jarrow, Stanhope and Thornley school boards from 1870-1904, Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/7955/

Hedworth, Monkton and Jarrow School Board had the honour of being the first parish School Board in the country to enact bye-laws making school attendance compulsory along with Darlington whose bye-laws were approved at the same Courts. It was also the first school board of its kind in Durham Cotinty to make elementary education compulsory. These byelaws....put a responsibility on the parent of every child between the ages of five and thirteen to ensure that their child should attend a public elementary school.

From: http://www.bloomsburyauctions.com/cms/pages/lot/744/496

Witter (John Arthur, 1830-95) Wild Flowers (sold for 700 pounds)

3 vol., 276 botanical watercolours, with manuscript captions, calligraphic titles and 9pp. of contents, some slightly browned, original calf, gilt, rubbed, 8vo, 1871-95.

*** "Preface. These flowers were painted by my father, John Arthur Witter, (1830-1895), during a period of 24 years, the earlier ones being dated 1871, and the last bearing the date 1895, the year of his death. Most of the specimens were gathered in the Counties of Northumberland, Durham, and Cumberland. He took particular pains to show the root and the natural growth of the plant. I have included both the few garden flowers that he painted and some unfinished drawings. One or two paintings of my own that I have ventured to add are signed with my own initials H.Witter."

Sold for £700 Sale 744, 23rd September 2010

The writer of this preface must be Harry Witter, since Harriet Witter died in 1890.

Obituary in The Teesdale Mercury, 3rd July 1895:

DEATH OF MR WITTER , LATE OF STAINTON. The death is announced, on Wednesday last, of Mr John Arthur Witter, late schoolmaster, at Stainton. The deceased gentleman was well-known and highly esteemed in this neighbourhood, when in residence. He was associated with tbe local volunteer movement, inaugurated amateur theatrical performances, and contributed copiously to this journal. Mr Witter had many staunch friends in Teesdale, by whom his demise is deeply deplored, and especially was he kind to the youths of the locality, whom he trained with much ability both in drawing and music. A writer in the " Jarrow Express and Tyneside Advertiser," of June 28th, says :—

DEATH of MR. J . A. WITTER. It now becomes my painful duty to have to chronicle the death of Mr Jobn Arthur Witter , headmaster of the Grange School, at the age of 64, which sad event took place on Wednesday at his residence, Surrey Villas, Jarrow, after about three weeks' illness. At a meeting of tbe School Board, shortly after its formation in 1871, Mr Witter, who was a first-class certificated teacher, was appointed master of the temporary school, held in the Old Drury Lane Theatre, referred to above. About eighteen months afterwards the Grange School was opened, and Mr Witter was appointed headmaster. Thus it will be seen that the deceased gentleman had been 23 years under tbe Board, and was the oldest teacher in its service. He was undoubtedly one of the best and most successful elementary teachers in the country, and almost invariably secured the " excellent " award for his school. During the past two sessions he delivered the lectures, " The Life and Duties of a Citizen," in connection with the continuation classes.

He was a prominent Freemason, having been initiated in the St. Bede Lodge, Jarrow. He passed through the chairs of his lodge, and at the time of his death was P.P.G.P. of the Province of Durham. He was also a member of the Royal Arch, through the chairs of which he had also passed. Mr Witter took great interest in the Masonic charities, and for many years collected the subscriptions in this district for the various institutions connected with the craft. Although somewhat of a reserved disposition, Mr Witter had a genial and kindly nature which endeared him to all who had the pleasure of his friendship, and I am sure he will be long remembered for his good work in Jarrow. The funeral will take place on Saturday, and will be of a Masonic character. It is a somewhat strange, but sad coincidence, that the first Chairman of the Board, and the first teacher under the Board, should die in the same week.

He was elected first Chairman, the Board set to work, and in the spring of 1872 resolved to open out a temporary school in tbe old Theatre, Drury Lane, now the Salvation Army Barracks. Mr John Arthur Witter was appointed teacher, and it will be my sad duty to have to refer further on to the death of this highly-esteemed schoolmaster and valued servant of the School Board, who, by a strange coincidence survived but a few hours the gentleman under whose chairmanship he received his appointment, now some twenty-three years ago. The Board shortly after its formation engaged tbe Presbyterian Lecture Hall, and then proceeded to the erection of tbe Grange School, which was the FIRST BOARD SCHOOL ERECTED IIN ENGLAND.

From 1881 Census:

address: 150 Albert Road

census place: Hedworth And Monkton And Jarrow, Durham, England

head John Witter M 50 Walsall, Lancashire, England

wife Louisa C M Witter F 40 Peover, Cheshire, England

son Arthur J Witter M 17 Stainton, Durham, England

daughter Elizabeth E Witter F 15 Stainton, Durham, England

daughter Louisa Witter F 14 Stainton, Durham, England

daughter Harriet A Witter F 10 Stainton, Durham, England

son Harry Witter M 6 Jarrow, Durham, England

son Charles K Witter M 5 Jarrow, Durham, England

daughter Alice M Witter F 1 Jarrow, Durham, England

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1891 census: Household Information

Address Surrey Villas, Park Road

Parish Hedworth Monkton and Yarrow

District South Shields, South Shields

Administrative County Durham

Householder 1

Name John Witter

Age 60

Estimated Year of Birth 1831

Relationship to Head of Household Head

Occupation Schoolmaster Elementary

Birth Place Halsall

Birth County Lancashire

Householder 2

Name Louisa C Witter

Age 50

Estimated Year of Birth 1841

Relationship to Head of Household Wife

Occupation

	 Birth Place 	Peover

Birth County Cheshire

Householder 3

Name Louisa Witter

Age 24

Estimated Year of Birth 1867

Relationship to Head of Household Daughter

Occupation Schoolmistress Elementary

Birth Place Stainton

Birth County County Durham

Householder 4

Name Harry Witter

Age 16

Estimated Year of Birth 1875

Relationship to Head of Household Son

Occupation Pupil Teacher

Birth Place Jarrow

Birth County County Durham

Householder 5

Name Charles K Witter

Age 15

Estimated Year of Birth 1876

Relationship to Head of Household Son

Occupation Scholar

Birth Place Jarrow

Birth County County Durham

Householder 6

Name Alice M Witter

Age 11

Estimated Year of Birth 1880

Relationship to Head of Household Daughter

Occupation Scholar

Birth Place Jarrow

Birth County County Durham