It has all the makings of an episode from the BBC’s ‘Antiques Road Show’ when a long lost object is found lurking in an attic, and that is just about what happened when an old print of a painting, originating from the Eagle House School in Tottenham, was found in the back of a cupboard in a quiet London suburban street.

The picture was discovered when the executor of a will was completing the task of clearing the contents of a house in Fulham, West London, following the death of the occupier, an elderly lady, whose family had lived there for over 100 years. The lady had died aged 93 years and had lived all her life at the same address in Fulham.  Her two sisters had died in their early teens, her father in 1923, and her mother in 1955 and she had never been well off. It was suspected that the picture had been lying around for many years (it was found tucked away at the bottom of a cupboard). 

'This school was on a site between the present Town Hall and the Technical college. It was formerly flanked by Grove House School and Coars House, which had even earlier been used as a Quaker school. Thomas Coar having inherited Forster's establishment. The school was run by Dr A Price for 25 years, who specialised in an English education for foreign pupils. He was succeeded by his son-in-law Knowles, and the school eventually passed into the hands of Dr Fernandez who altered the character of the school, encouraging more day boys, many of whom were non-conformists. Lieutenant Rypinski, whose name appears at the foot of the prize certificate, was drawing and French master at the school in the 1850's. He had fled from Poland during the uprising of 1830 and as an émigré acquired a considerable literary reputation.'

As one might expect, given its history, the picture is showing signs of wear and tear received over the 150 plus years since it was first presented. The picture provides a wonderful testament to the quality of education and schooling provided by Eagle House School in the Mid-Victorian era.

The Pigot’s directory dating from 1826 lists seven academies in Tottenham offering private education, several of which attracted pupils from abroad. One of these was Eagle House School on Tottenham Green, owned by Dr Price. It was reported that he took 150 boarders and day pupils and he specialised in an English education for foreigners.

A study of the 1851 Census disclosed an entry for the  people residing at the school at the time. In addition to the schools Head-Master, Dr Alfred Price, the recipient of the drawing prize Thomas Oxenham, aged 14 was also listed. Furthermore, in keeping with its reputation among foreign students, it was noted that some pupils were from Italy, France and Spain.

In tracing the family of Thomas Oxenham the most likely candidates were that of Hugh and Hannah Oxenham. Hugh Oxenham was an Auctioneer. At the 1851 Census, he and his family were living in Oxford Street, London but by 1861 Census the family was living at  Kensington Square Gardens. Their son Thomas was also living at this address, now aged 24, with an occupation given as a Master Brewer.