Book signed by John Yates , pupil at Sedgley Park from 1818 - 1822

Photo courtesy of Ian Beech of www.sedgleymanor.com

In November 1797 Mr. Southworth resumed his former position as President of Sedgley Park. His office of chaplain was filled by Rev. William Harris , from Rome , who remained at the Park for five years. He came into the refectory to take leave of the boys , on his departure for the mission in Osgodby , Lincs. where he remained until he died in 1823. At Midsummer , 1798 , Mr. Jos. Hunt returned as a Master and found the following at the Park: Messrs. Harbut and Thomas Richmond , Messrs. John Sumner , Thos Yates , Thos Evans , & Thos Daniel. Mr. Evans also left in that year. He went to reside in Tamworth. Mr. Daniel also left. Mr. Thos Howell succeeded Mr.Thos Richmond as Latin & French Master. Mr. Lees of Gunston came as also did Mr. Jos. Howell , brother of Mr. Thomas Howell , Mr. Henry Worthy and Mr. Robert Singleton.

Husenbeth arrived at the Park at 5pm on Monday , 25th April 1803 , and since then he was not a long time in visiting the 'old place' or failed to treasure up interesting circumstances of its subsequent history. the Superiors & Masters were: Rev . Thos. Southworth , President. Rev. James Simkiss , Chaplain and Vice - President. Rev. Jos. Birth , afterwards President , who taught Greek & Latin and French. Mr. Jos. Harbutt , Procurator. Messr. Sumner , Eldridge , Worthy , Singleton , Cleminshaw and Wilson , Masters. The episcopacy of (Bishop) Dr. Stapleton was very short. He was consecrated on March 8th 1801 and retired to St. Omer , France , dying on 23rd May 1802 , having been the last President of the English College there before the French Revolution. He was replaced by Dr. John Milner , ex- Park. On Milner's first visit , all the boys gathered down at the rails to gaze at the new Bishop and salute him as he dashed along on his grey charger , in the plain attire which he always preferred and wearing a drab great coat with broad capes. Bishop Stapleton's chaplain & secretary was Rev. Thos. Walsh. Milner retained him. After one year Walsh was appointed as Spiritual Director at Sedgley Park. Rev. Simkiss left , appointed to the mission at Sixhills , Lincolnshire. He had been chaplain two years. He left in October 1804. He stayed there till he died.

Night prayers were said at a quarter before eight , but on Sundays and Holy Days at eight. On week days , they began with the litany of the Saints , on Mondays & Fridays . On Wednesdays , the universal prayer , or Miserere Psalm and Litany of Loretto: Tuesdays and Thursdays , the same litany , but also the Hymn of St. Bernard. On Saturday the Litany of Loretto. These prayers were followed by the Examination of Conscience in the Garden of the Soul , and after a boy said the Angelus , one of Challoner's Mediatations was read for a conclusion.

Mr. Harbut acted as Sacristan. He read night prayers on occasions. He stood at the door , opening from the playroom stairs , to see that all came into the Chapel with becoming reverence , and attended the same as the boys left. He did this duty when no priest was at home.He made sure the boys genuflected properly. Sometimes the boys would offer Mr. Harbut a 'crop' , in other words a nosegay such as a single flower or a lupin which he would accept with a smile.He would place it in his button hole. He was a tall , spare figure , having a venerable head with flowing grey hair. His dress was a long brown coat , yellow & black striped waistcoat and drab breeches and gaiters , with silver buckles in well blackened shoes. Also a red handkerchief was held in his lame right hand.