Rev. Benjamin Philpot founded the village school at Great Cressingham, Norfolk in 1840, where he was the Rector.

See www.victorianschool.com.

He was earlier Vicar of Walpole St Mary Suffolk and Archdeacon of the Isle of Man.

Benjamin and Charlotte had a family of 14 children, 6 boys and 8 girls, which included Marianne Jane baptised 27 November 1831, parish of St George, Douglas, Isle of Man.


From http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/people/vicars/philpot.htm
Benjamin Philpot, 1791-1889

Born 9 Jan 1791, Laxfield, Suffolk, orphaned in early childhood and adopted by father's elder brother who had no male heir. BA Christ's Coll. Camb 1812; fellow from 1814, first marriage 1816 (biography does not give name ! though described as 'ward of his uncle') she died shortly after giving birth to 3rd child (only one of whom, a daughter, survived). Death of Uncle had given him living at Walpole which he left (to care of a curate) in 1820 on death of first wife. Second marriage 1822 to Charlotte Vachall (d. July 1876 aged 74).

Through connections which are not at all obvious from his biography (a most frustrating book for any one interested in his Manx years) he was offered the Chaplainship of St George's by Bishop Murray, which post he held from August 1827 to May 1832. On arrival of Bishop Ward in 1828, was offered post of Vicar General as Ward was keen to get rid of the notorious William Roper who had been appointed by Bishop Murray, contrary to all tradition that the post be held by a cleric.
Became Archdeacon of Man, and Rector of Andreas, May 1832 until his departure August 1839 for Cressingham Norfolk - again for reasons not fully explained though possibly having declined the Bishopric (according to the biography) on the death of Bishop Ward maybe he felt he should move. Moved again in 1860 to Liyney, Forest of Dean, Gloucs, where he spent 12 years before moving to Dennington, Suffolk from where he retired to Surbiton. Died 1889 just short of 100th year and is buried at Lydney with his wife.


From Venns

Adm. pens. at CHRIST'S, Mar. 18, 1808. S. of Benjamin. B. [Jan. 9, 1790], at Laxfield, Suffolk. [Schools, Bury St Edmunds and Dedham Grammar.] Matric. Michs. 1808; Scholar, 1809; B.A. 1812; M.A. 1815. Fellow, 1814. Ord. deacon (Norwich) July 9, 1815; priest, 1817. P.C. of Walpole St Mary, Suffolk, 1817-32. Vicar-General of the Isle of Man. Archdeacon of Sodor and Man, and R. of Kirk Andreas, 1832-9. R. of Great Cressingham with Bodney, Norfolk, 1839-59. V. of Lydney, Gloucs., 1859-71. R. of Dennington, Suffolk, 1871-8. Died May 28, 1889, at Mona Lodge, Oak Hill, Surbiton; buried at Lydney. Father of William B. (1842). (Scott, MSS.; Peile, II. 361; Boase, II. 1518; Crockford; The Guardian, Jan. 9, 1889.)



Born at Laxfield, Suffolk c.1791 Benjamin Philpot was a Cambridge graduate who became a minister of the Church of England.

Bury & Norwich Post Tuesday 31 May 1815 ‘On Thursday last Benjamin Philpot Esq., of Christ College was admitted Bachelor of Arts.

The Bury & Norwich Post Wednesday 30 August 1815 reported that a few days earlier the Rev. Benjamin Philpot, rector of Westhall, Suffolk, had called a meeting to tell his parishioners that because of the high price of grain, he was reducing their tithes by 12½%.

On 24th July 1816 he married his first cousin, Letitia Mary Philpot and a year later it was announced in the Bury & Norwich Post Wednesday 23 July 1817 that on the Monday the Rev. Benjamin Philpot had been licensed to the perpetual curacy of Walpole, Suffolk, on his own petition. Apparently he had inherited some landed property both here and at Southwold.

On 1st March 1818 his wife gave birth to a daughter, Mary, baptised at Sibton the following day. On 29th January 1819 their son William Benjamin was born and baptised on 5th February at Sibton. On 24th February 1819 the Bury & Norwich Post reported that on Sunday se’ennight at Sebton Park, after an illness of only half an hour, Mary had died, aged 26.

After his wife’s death he spent some time travelling in the south of Europe.