George Masters Gould
Rev. George Masters Gould (c1793-1877) of the St. John's Hospital School (Boys), Exeter
1877 Died
1877 Obituary
The late Mr. George Masters Gould, who for about forty years was head master St. John's Hospital, was buried yesterday, having died on Thursday, aged 84. Mere than half a century ago Mr. Gould commenced life as a schoolmaster in Exeter and at his establishment in Bartholomew-yard some of the most respected citizens of Exeter received their education.
Later on Mr. Gould's sphere of usefulness was much increased by his being appointed to the head-mastership of St. John's Hospital, where he remained until about seven or eight years ago. Mr. Gould was greatly respected and beloved by his large number of pupils, and when he retired from St. John's the "Old Boys" presented him with a very handsome testimonial, and such was their respect for him that until very recently was the custom annually of the "Old Boys" to invite him to a complimentary dinner. Mr. Gould also received a testimonial from the trustees. Mr. Gould's advancing age caused him to be absent from the gatherings of late; still he was borne in affectionate remembrance by "his boys," who never forgot the interest he took in their welfare, and before the grave had closed over his remains yesterday a general wish was expressed by those who attended the mournful ceremony that either in the School or Board-room some suitable tablet should be erected testifying the kindly feelings and the reverence which his memory was held by those who in times past had gathered round him for instruction and advice.
The extent of Mr. Gould's usefulness may be gathered from the fact that there is scarcely merchant's establishment in the city in which some of his old pupils are not to be found, and some of Exeter's most prominent citizens can look back with pride to their school days under the worthy schoolmaster. Some of his "Boys" also occupy high positions in London and elsewhere. One his oldest pupils who was present at the funeral yesterday was Mr. P. Nicholls, who wore a silver medal which was awarded him in 1818 by his schoolmaster, Mr. Gould, for his "diligent attention his studies." Mr. Councillor Huxtable, who walked with Mr. Nicholls, yesterday, was a schoolmate, as were also Mr. Coroner Hooper and Mr. William Escott, The notice of Mr. Gould's death and funeral was unknown until Monday (when Mr. E. T. Fulford, another 'old boy' drew attention to it in the columns of The Western Times, or there would have been a much larger number present, although a more representative gathering could hardly have been expected.