Honiton museum curator Margaret Lewis
Published:
6:00 AM April 24, 2021
This silver medal was presented to Master George Gilpin of Weston Zoyland
- Credit: Honiton Museum
William Woodgates was the headmaster of the Commercial, Mathematical, French and Classical Academy, also known as the Laurels Academy in New Street (now the home of Everys Solicitors) from 1824 until his death at the age of 55 from jaundice and dropsy in September 1854.
At the end of most of the summer and winter school terms William and his wife Sarah hosted a ball for the young gentleman pupils and the town’s gentry. The guests usually numbered over one hundred.