Just before Isaac's third birthday his mother Hannah and Barnabas Smith, a neighbouring clergyman from North Witham, who was 63 years old, became promised in marriage. Hannah only agreed to marry him if he gave a parcel of land to the young Isaac, which he did. After the wedding, they left three year old Isaac with his grandmother Ayscough in the house in Woolsthorpe and went to live in Barnabas's house in North Witham. Isaac found this a very traumatic experience, as he was not thought to have been close to his grandmother. Isaac was obviously like any other boy and had arguments with his mother and stepfather. He recalled later that he had threatened his mother and father Smith that he would 'burne them and the house over them'. He had a lonely childhood, and by the time he was 10, he had acquired a half brother and two half sisters. Barnabas Smith died later that year and his mother Hannah and his new family moved back into Woolsthorpe. Isaac was left Smith's library of 200-300 theological books, for which he built himself a shelf in the house.

Ealiest know drawing of 'The Old School' 1806

Isaac was happy to have his mother back, even though he now had to share her with his three young siblings. In less than two years, however, Isaac was sent to Grantham Grammar School, a school which by this time was already over 300 years old. 

© The King's School, Grantham                                   Page updated  December 2011