It seems as if the Dame was a school mistress.
Laceby Stanford School was set up by the Stanford Trust. Phlip and Sarah Stanford, who lived at Barnoldby-le-Bec before moving to Laceby, had three children, all of whom died in infancy. Having no heirs, they decided to leave land and money for good causes. Philip died first. In 1720, Sarah set up a deed which funded the trust. On her death, she stated that income from her lands and house would fund five causes - one of which was the setting up of a charity school. She was very specific in what she wanted. She set our staff remuneration - the master was to get £12 a year plus free coal and the mistress would get £4 a year (talk about a pay gap!) plus free coal. Sarah also stipulated the subjects which would be taught. Interestingly, she wanted girls to be taught 'cash accounts'. The first school house was built at the bottom of Cooper Lane in Laceby. Sadly, it was demolished in 1970.
The Dame was expected to keep pupils in her own dwelling house.
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