Norton Juxta Twycross

William Whiston and Sir John Moore.

William Whiston

William Whiston

William was a great mathematician and wrote many books and was later appointed Sir Isaac Newton’s Deputy at Cambridge. He attained fame with his translation of the works of Flavius Josephus, the Jewish historianHe disapproved of many of the principles of the Church of England and eventually joined the Baptists.

Sir John Moore

The Moore family had a long association with Norton and Appleby.

Charles Moore of Norton purchased the manor at Appleby in 1599.

His second son, John, raised a fortune as a merchant in London in the East India trade.

In 1681, he became Lord Mayor of London and was elected President of Christ's Hospital in the same year. During his term of office he was knighted by Charles II for his loyal services. This great man who was born and baptised in Norton was a great philanthropist and devoted much of his fortune to the less fortunate.

Sir John founded the school at Appleby Parva which was designed by Wren, and catered for 50 boy boarders who came from all over the country until 1706. Originally it was restricted to boys from Norton, Appleby and neighbouring villages. The figure of the founder in his official robes stands in an arch in the wall. The school closed in 1904 due to lack of support but was reopened in 1959 by Sir Robert Martin.

Sir John died without a successor in 1702, aged 82 years.