SALTERS' COMPANY.
TO THE CHARITY COMMISSIONERS FOR
ENGLAND AND WALES.
In pursuance of a Minute of the Board of the
2nd February 1863, I have inquired into the condition and
circumstances of the following Charities under the management of the Salters' Company of the City of London, and
I have stated in the report under the head of each specific
endowment the result of my investigation:—
The title of this Company is "The Master, Wardens,
and Commonalty of the Art or Mistery of Salters,
London."
The constitution of the Company is formed of the
Master and two Wardens and twenty-four Assistants. One
of the Livery not on the Court is nominated Renter
Warden. The list of the Livery in the printed book is
now 142. Freedom is obtained by patrimony (or birth)
and servitude (or apprenticeship). Occasionally freedom
is obtained by redemption. The number of the freemen
are supposed to be diminishing.
Thomas Beamond's Almshouses.
Thomas Beamond, by his will of the 24th March 1454,
gave to the Company the land where there was then lately
erected the Salters' Hall and six mansions in Bread Street,
also a house called the Chequer in Bread Street, and a
tenement in Westcheap.
As to the said six mansions, the wardens should appoint
six of the most indigent poor to dwell therein, each inmate
to have 7d. a week for his sustentation out of the fines and
profits of the tenements, and after giving 6s. 8d. yearly to
each warden and 2s. to the beadle, for their pains, he
directed that whatever residue there should be of the said
rents and profits should be put in a chest, and securely
kept by the said wardens and four honest men for the
reparation, sustentation, and new building of all the tenements when need should require.
The estate was charged also with superstitious uses, in
respect of which the right of the Crown was purchased by
the Company, and the purchase confirmed by an Act of
Parliament passed the 19th March, 4 James 1st (including
also some purchases of the Brewers' Company), which
would seem to have been omitted in the Act comprising
the purchases of the other City Companies, referred to in
my report on the Charities of the Fishmongers' Company.
After the report of the Commissioners of Inquiry, and
on the 29th November 1833, an information was filed by
the Attorney-General, at the relation of Thos. Spencer
Hall and another, against the Salters' Company, stating
the will of Thos. Beamond and the residuary gift therein
contained, and also stating the other gifts which had been
made for the almsmen at the hall, and alleging that the
amount paid to the almspeople was and had long been
very much less than the annual value of the premises
derived by the Company under the said will, and praying
that it might be declared that all the rents and profits of
the messuages and hereditaments held by the Company
under Beamond's will were applicable to the charitable
purposes mentioned in the will, and that an account might
be taken of the rents and fines received by the said Company in respect of the hereditaments under Beamond's
will from such time as to the Court might seem fit, and
also an account of the money which during the period had
been applied out of the rents for the maintenance of the
said almsmen, and that the annual surplus might be ascertained, and the said defendants charged therewith and
decreed personally to answer and pay the same, and that
an account might also be taken of the annual sums received
by the defendants in respect of the several other gifts
thereinbefore mentioned to have been made to them for
the benefit of the almsmen, and of the sums annually paid
by them thereout for the almsmen, and that the surplus
if any, might be answered by the defendants personally,
and the messuages, &c., held by the defendants might be
ascertained by the direction of the Court, and that proper
deeds might be executed by the said defendants concerning
the said messuages for settling the same, and declaring
the trusts thereof according to the scheme to be settled as
thereinafter mentioned, and that it might be referred to
the Master to settle a proper scheme for the extension of
the Charity and the application of such of the surplus
rents as should be found liable to charitable purposes.
The defendants by their answer set forth the Act of
4th James the 1st for securing to the Company the land
given for superstitious uses and purchased by them, and
the further Act of the said reign comprised lands omitted
in the former Act, and amongst others the land devised by
Beamond; and the Company set out the various leases
and demises which had been made of the property supposed to be that devised, and subject to the specific gifts
to the almspeople, but submitted however that the almsmen
were comfortably provided for as therein stated. The suit,
I am informed, proceeded no further than the answer, when
it was compromised with the consent of the AttorneyGeneral, and a decree made by the Vice-Chancellor of
England on the 7th May 1841 to the following effect:—
That the defendants undertaking to continue to make
the yearly and other payments of money, and distribution
of coals in respect of the charitable gifts thereinafter
referred to, being the payments and distribution which as
they alleged they had theretofore made in respect of such
gifts, and the relators thereupon waiving all further relief
in respect of the premises than as thereinafter mentioned,
it was ordered that the defendants weekly pay to the six
almsfolk of the foundation of Thos. Beamond, 12d., and
yearly pay to such almspeople 19s., such weekly and
yearly payments being made in respect of the gift of
Thos. Salter; and should also weekly pay to the almsmen
12d., such payment being made in respect of the gift of
Mr. Scott; and should weekly pay to such almsmen 6d.,
such weekly payment being made in respect of Thos.
Garrett's gift; and should also pay yearly to the almsmen
20d. a piece and 2d. more to the ancientest of them, such
yearly payment being made in respect of Thos. Barber's
gift; and should also yearly pay to the almsmen in equal
divisions 6l., such payment being in respect of Wm.
Robson's gift; and should also yearly pay to the almsmen
in equal divisions 4l., being in respect of James Smith's
gift; and should also yearly pay to each of the almsmen
6s. 8d., in respect of Mrs. Cock's gift; and should also
pay yearly to the almsmen 10s. in respect of Robt. Payne's
gift; and should also pay to the almsmen yearly 2l. 14s.,
being made in respect of Sir Jno. Coates' gift, and in lieu
of the charitable coals directed by him to be delivered to
the almspeople. And it was ordered that the Company
should pay the relators their costs.
The six almsmen in Beamond's almshouses receive:—
|
| £ | s. | d. |
| The weekly payment of 10s. 6d. each | 163 | 16 | 0 |
| In December and at Easter the Company
give nine tons of coal, in lieu of the four
sacks of great coal in respect of Thomas
Salter's Gift | 11 | 5 | 0 |
| In April of every year they receive 1l. a week
amongst them in respect of Robson's Gift
and 1l. 7s. in respect of part of four chaldrons of charcoal given by Sir J. Coates,
or 1l. 4s. 6d. each in the whole | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| In October of every year the almsmen receive 8l. a year amongst them in respect
of James Smith's Gift and 1l. 7s. for the
other part of Coates' four chaldrons of
charcoal and 15s. in respect of Salter's
Gift for attending at St. Magnus' Church,
or 1l. 13s. 8d. each in the whole | 10 | 2 | 0 |
| The Company gave also to the six men on
the distribution day, about 10 days before
Christmas, the sum of 3l. 0s. 2d. or 10s.
each in respect of Thos. Barber's, Cock's,
and Payne's Gifts | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| The almsmen also attending the Company
on every court day, 12 days in the year,
receive 2s. 6d. each | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| They also receive 10s. each on attending at
the hall six times a year | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| And six attendances at meetings 2s. 6d.
each | 4 | 10 | 0 |
| 227 | 0 | 2 |
The amount thus received by each almsman is about
36l. in money for each person and nearly 2l. in coals.
The almshouses for six poor men are still in Salters'
Court, but about to be removed to Watford, in the county
of Herts, under the sanction of the Board. (See my
report on Sir Ambrose Nicholas' Almshouses infra.) (fn. 1)
Salter's Gift.
Thos. Salter, by his will in 1558, gave to the Company
200 marks, to pay inter alia 52s. a year to the six almsfolk,
together with four sacks of coals or 2s. 8d. in money a
piece, 3s. on attending St. Magnus' Church, and 1s. to the
beadle for accompanying them.
The Company pay 2l. 12s. a year to the account of the
Beamond's or the Men's Almshouses. The gift of 3s. to
the six almsmen for going to St. Magnus' Church by
London Bridge is now converted into a payment of 15s.,
which they receive without attendance at the church, and
the beadle receives 5s. instead of the 1s. in respect of his
duty of accompanying them.
The almspeople receive other coals which are not charged
to the gift, and they also receive nine tons of coals a year
in substitution or discharge of the four sacks apiece
founded by this endowment.
John Scott's Gift.
Jno. Scott, by his will in 1578, gave to the six almsmen
52s. a year (12d. a week). The Company now hold a
house, No. 47, Friday Street, and pay thereout 2l. 12s. a
year towards the maintenance of Beamond's Almshouses.
This gift was made one part of the subject of the suit
Attorney-General, at the relation of T. S. Hall, versus
Salters' Company, mentioned in my report on Beamond's
Charity, and is now governed by the directions of the
decree there set out.
He also gave 5l. a year from the same source to the
poorest of the yeomanry. The latter gift is distributed
amongst the almsmen in Monkwell Street. (fn. 2)
Garratt's Gift.
John Garratt, by his will of the 19th January 1582, gave
to the Company all his lands in London for certain superstitious uses and to pay to the six almsmen a penny a week
each. The estate charged with this gift consists of
property in Carr Square, Moor Square, and Moor Lane,
Cripplegate. It is let to various tenants at a rental of
about 270l. a year. The Company pay 26s. a year to the
account of Beamond's Almshouses.
This gift was made one part of the subject of the suit
Attorney-General, at the relation of T. S. Hall, versus
Salters' Company, mentioned in my report of Beamond's
Charity, and its administration is one of the matters comprised in that compromise, the liability of the Company
under the decree before set out being limited to 6d. a week.
The foregoing statement of the payments made to the almspeople shows that they receive far more than sufficient to
cover this as well as the other endowments. (fn. 3)
Barber's Gift.
Thos. Barber, by his will of the 14th January 1622, gave
200l. to the Company to be lent to two poor young men at
4l. per cent., and thereout to pay annually to six almsmen
20d. apiece and to the ancientest 2d. more. This gift was
included in the suit of Attorney-General versus Salters'
Company, and the payments to be made in respect of the
capital fund are directed to be made by the Company
under the minutes of decree set out in my report on
Beamond's Charity.
The Company continue to pay 10s. 2d. annually to the
account of Beamond's almsmen; it is considered to form
a part of the special distribution of 10s. apiece made on the
distribution day.
Robson's Gift.
Wm. Robson in 1633 gave 2,500l. to the Company
to pay (amongst other things) 6l. a year to the almsmen.
The Company pay 6l. a year from this donation to the
account of Beamond's almsmen, the aggregate payments
exceeding this and the other charitable funds founded for
the purpose.
Smith's Gift.
James Smith in 1661 gave 4l. a year to the six almsmen.
The rent of the premises charged with this gift having
increased, the amount of the payments for the benefit of
the almsmen has been doubled, and the Company now
carry 8l. per annum to the account of Beamond's almsmen.
This gift was one of the subjects of the decree before
referred to (see Beamond's Charity). The increase of the
payment to the almspeople appears to have been made
under a scheme of the Court of Chancery settled in 1825,
and referred to in my report on Smith's Almshouses
(infra).
Sir John Coates' Gift.
Sir John Coates gave 200l. to the Company to be lent
to two young men, they paying yearly 20s. to the Company's
officers and four cartloads of charcoal to the almsmen and
the poor of Dowgate Ward.
This was the subject of an information filed the 11th
December 1833 by the Attorney-General at the relation of
John Edwards and another, stating the gifts of—
200l. by Sir John Coates,
100l. " Thos. Payne,
100l. " Sir Ambrose Nicholas,
100l. " Henry Plumpton,
200l. " Lady Nicholas,
and praying that an account might be taken of the several
principal sums or of such parts thereof as should appear
to have come to the hands of the defendants, and that
they might be personally charged with and declared liable
to raise and pay the same with interest at 5l. per cent.
from such time as the Court should think fit, and that it
might be referred to the Master to settle a scheme for the
future application of what should be found due from the
defendants to such charitable purposes as would best
effectuate the intentions of the donors of the several sums
aforesaid.
The defendants put in their answer, and stated to the
effect that all such monies had been lent out and ultimately
lost, and the relators thereupon proposed and obtained
the assent of the Attorney-General to a decree which was
made by the Vice-Chancellor of England on the 31st May
1839, which was as follows:—
"The defendants, the Salters' Company, undertaking
to continue the several annual payments directed by the
wills of the several donors in manner set forth in their
answer, it was ordered that the defendants should pay to
the Master and Wardens of the Company the sum of 10s.
to the renter of the Company 6s. 8d., and to the beadle
3s. 4d., and to the almsmen founded by Thos. Beamond
the annual sum of 2l. 14s., and the annual sum of 2l. 12s.
to the officers of the ward of Dowgate for the poor of that
ward, such several yearly payments being made in respect
of Coates' Gift; and the two latter thereof in lieu of coals
by him directed to be delivered amongst such almsmen and
poor, and should also pay to the clerk of the Company 5s.,
to the beadle 2s., and amongst the almsmen 10s., such
several yearly payments being made in respect of Robert
Payne's gift; and also distribute amongst the almsfolk of
the Monkwell Street Almshouses of Sir A. Nicholas 12
chaldrons of coal in respect of Sir A. Nicholas' Gift, and
in lieu of charitable coals by him directed to be distributed;
and should also pay to the Company's use 20s., and to the
clerk and beadle in equal division 10s., and to the poor
box towards the relief of the poor 10l., such several yearly
payments being made in respect of Henry Plompton's Gift;
and should also pay to the poor of the parish of Saint
Mildred, Poultry, 20s. in respect of Lady Nicholas' Gift."
The Company give credit for 1l. 7s. for coals in December and at Easter, making 2l. 14s. a year in respect of the
four cartloads of charcoal, and the Master, Wardens, and
beadle receive the 20s. a year.
Mrs. Cock's Gift.
Mrs. Cock gave 100l. to the Company to pay 6s. 8d.
yearly to each of the six almsmen. This is distributed to
the almsmen on the distribution day.
Payne's Gift.
Robert Payne gave 100l. to the Company to be lent to
two young men, and out of the interest 10s. to be paid
yearly to the almsmen. This is given to the almsmen on
the distribution day.
Sir Ambrose Nicholas's Almshouses.
Sir Ambrose Nicholas, by his will of the 28th April
1578, gave to the Company 12 small tenements or Almshouses in Monkwell Street, and also all other his messuages
and lands in St. Alphage and St. Olave; to pay weekly
to the 12 almspeople 7s., and provide 300 faggots yearly
for them, and to employ the residue for the poor of the
Company.
The Almshouses in Monkwell Street are still occupied
by the almspeople, but are on the point of being removed
to the country. The property devised by the testator
forms nearly a square plot, bounded on the north by Hart
Street, on the west by Monkwell Street, and on the south
by Fell Street. The eastern boundary is at the back of
the premises north of Wood Street.
The property of the Charity is as follows:—
|
| | | | £ | s. | d. |
| Nos. 5 and 6, Hart Street and stables
adjoining, let to Messrs. Smith
and Chillingworth on two leases
for 21 years, which expire Midsummer 1864 | | | | 185 | 13 | 0 |
| | | | 150 | 0 | 0 |
| (It is expected that the rent will
be very largely increased.) |
| No. 7, Hart Street, let to Geo.
Purnell on lease for 21 years from
Christmas 1849 (with an agreement for an extended term of
19 years from the expiration of
that date) | | | | 49 | 0 | 0 |
| Three small houses in Fell Street,
formerly let to Z. Skyring, now to
Fisher and Hebb, on lease for
21 years, which expires at Midsummer 1864 | | | | 40 | 0 | 6 |
| | | | 424 | 13 | 6 |
| The land tax has been redeemed by
the Company out of their own
funds, the annual amount being | | | | 34 | 6 | 6 |
| | | | 390 | 7 | 0 |
| This is subject to a deduction in
respect of a portion of the premiums of insurance, which is paid
by the Company. The part of
this not recouped to the estates | | | | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| | | | 384 | 1 | 0 |
| The Company also pay in respect of
the premiums of insurance on the
premises, in addition to what is
paid by the lessees for increased
premiums— |
| £ | s. | d. |
| On the Hart Street
and Fell Street
premises, rented
by Smith and
Chillingworth at
185l. 13s. a year | 15 | 13 | 0 |
| And on ditto at
150l. (insured for
3,000l.) | 9 | 15 | 0 |
| And on ditto by
Purnell (insured
for 2,000l.) | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Fisher and Hebb | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| | | | 32 | 8 | 6 |
| | | | 351 | 12 | 6 |
| Robson's Gift of 5d. a week each | | | | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| | | | 364 | 12 | 6 |
| Outgoings—Surveyor in 1861 on
premises in Fell Street, damaged
by fire | | | | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| | | | 344 | 12 | 6 |
A projected hotel company has proposed to take the
whole of this property at a rent far exceeding the present
income. I am informed that 1,200l. a year has been
offered, and that the Company has demanded about 1,500l.
per annum. The expenditure has immemorially exceeded
the income of the endowment. The excess since the year
1845 appears by the following statement:—
|
| £ | s. | d. |
| 1845–46, expenditure | 87 | 6 | 9 |
| 1846–47 " | 65 | 11 | 0 |
| 1847–48 " | 65 | 10 | 10 |
| 1848–49 " | 104 | 4 | 11 |
| 1849–50 " | 173 | 16 | 8 |
| 1850–51 " | 98 | 5 | 9 |
| 1851–52 " | 76 | 18 | 9 |
| 1852–53 " | 67 | 12 | 7 |
| 1853–54 " | 89 | 0 | 4 |
| 1854–55 " | 121 | 11 | 10 |
| 1855–56 " | 154 | 18 | 4 |
| 1856–57 " | 160 | 3 | 5 |
| 1859–60 " | 146 | 16 | 5 |
| 1860–61 " | 157 | 2 | 1 |
| 1,568 | 19 | 8 |
| In 1858 and 1859 there
was surplus income | 98 | 4 | 3 |
| 1,470 | 15 | 5 |
The disbursements on the Almshouses and almspeople
are:—
|
| £ | s. | d. |
| Pensions, 14s., to each of 12 almswomen (weekly) | 436 | 16 | 0 |
| Medical attendance by stipend | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| Water rate of the Almshouses in
Monkwell Street | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Coals (1861), 18 tons | 21 | 12 | 0 |
| Insurance of Almshouses | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Master, Wardens, Surveyor, and
Clerk, Annual View in June 1861 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Repairs and painting, and Surveyor
(1860–61), average of three years | 30 | 0 | 0 |
| 516 | 7 | 0 |
In addition to the foregoing payments the almswomen
receive on the Distribution Day 1l. 11s. each, making
together 18l. 12s., which is thus made up:—
|
| £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. |
| Cock's Gift | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| Wick's " | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Scott's " | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Hyde's " | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| To which the Company
add, to make up the
amount | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| | | | 18 | 12 | 0 |
The Almshouses in Monkwell Street, as well as those of
Beamond's (in Bow Lane), are now in course of being
rebuilt in the neighbourhood of Watford.
The authority for this reconstruction was issued by the
Board, dated in 1862, upon the Report of Mr. Simons. (fn. 4)
Robson's Gift.
Wm. Robson gave 13l. a year to the 12 almsfolk. This
is paid out of the interest of the gift of 2,500l. before
referred to.
Mrs. Cock's Gift.
Mrs. Cock gave 12s. a year to the 12 almsfolk. This is
given annually to the almswomen on the distribution
day.
Wicks' Gift.
John Wicks, by his will of the 24th February 1727, gave
to the Company an acre of copyhold land in Plaistow
Marsh for the poor of the Almshouses. And he also gave
5l. a year charged on land at Westham for the poor of the
Almshouses.
The land at Plaistow or Britty Mead is let to John
Lowe at 2l. 10s. a year, and 4l., after deducting 1l. land
tax, is received from Messrs. Carruthers in respect of the
property at Westham. The total for this gift is 6l. 10s. a
year.
Salter's Gift.
Thomas Salter gave to the Company 200 marks, and
directed them to pay (inter alia) 1l. 6s. to the sisters of the
late Norman's house at Norwich. The sum of 1l. 6s. a
year is paid to the churchwarden of the parish of St. Paul
in Norwich, as at the time of the last inquiry.
John Scott's Gift.
John Scott, by will of the 3rd July 1578, gave to the
Company two houses in the parish of St. John the Evangelist to provide yearly one cartload of coals for the poor of
Allhallows and St. Margaret Moses.
The following sums are paid in respect of this
Charity:—
|
| £ | s. | d. |
| Six almsmen in Beamond's Almshouses | 2 | 12 | 0 |
| Twelve almswomen in Monkwell
Street Almshouses, given away on
the distribution day | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| The churchwardens of the parish of
St. Margaret Moses | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| 8 | 10 | 0 |
There is also a charge for the officers of the Company of
6s. 8d. for their pains, making together 8l. 16s. 8d. (fn. 5)
John Garratt's Gift.
John Garratt gave to the prisons of the King's Bench,
Marshalsea, and Newgate 6s. 8d. a piece yearly.
|
| | | £ | s. | d. |
| The Company pay to Beamond's
almsmen yearly | | | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| s. | d. |
| To the City prisons, on the
receipt of the Keeper of
the Queen's Bench Prison | 6 | 8 |
| And in respect of Newgate
and Ludgate, to Mr. Temple, by the authority of the
Court of Aldermen | 13 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| | | 2 | 6 | 0 (fn. 6) |
Barber's Gift.
Thomas Barber directed the Company to make the
following payments out of the interest of 200l. at 4l. per
cent.:—
|
| £ | s. | d. |
| To the churchwardens of St. Botolph,
Bishopsgate | 6 | 18 | 6 |
| To the Master of the Company | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| To the Wardens | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| To the clerk 2s., to the beadle 1s. | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| To six almsmen (Beamond's) | 0 | 10 | 2 |
| 8 | 0 | 0 |
The several payments are made annually to the respective
objects above mentioned.
William Robson's Gift.
Wm. Robson in 1633 deposited with the Company
5,000l., with an agreement as to the sum of 2,500l. part
thereof, to pay the interest at 5l. per cent. after his decease
as follows:—
|
| £ | s. | d. |
| To the Company's poor (including
the 13l. a year to the Monkwell
Street almspeople, Nicholas') and
the 6l. to the almsmen in Salters'
Hall | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| To the poor of Newport, Salop | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| To the minister of Newport, Salop | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| To the master of the Free School | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| To Bridewell Hospital | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| To Christ Church and St. Thomas'
Hospitals each 5l. | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| To St. Bartholomew's Hospital | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| To the Company, to be expended
yearly about the time of his decease | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| To a minister for a sermon on the
same day | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| To the curate 5s., and clerk and sexton 5s. | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| For two poor scholars at St. John's
College, Cambridge | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| The same at Jesus' College, Oxford | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| To the Master and Officers of Company | 20 | 0 | 0 |
And he gave to the Company 50l. to pay to St. Bartholomew's Hospital an additional 2l. 10s.
A portion of the 5,000l. was invested in the purchase of
premises in Lombard Street and Birchin Lane, and the
will of Robson directed that when the rents and profits of
the houses should be settled in perpetuity on the said
charitable uses, that then the indenture he had from the
Company for that purpose should be cancelled.
An information was filed in July 1833 by the AttorneyGeneral, at the relation of the Rev. Wm. Sandford and
another, against the Salters' Company, setting forth the
fact of the aforesaid deposit and the trust as to the 2,500l.
the purchase of the said premises in 1634, the will of
W. Robson, that the rents of the said premises then
amounted to 788l. 9s. 4d. a year, and alleging that the
defendants appropriated the greater part of the said rents
and profits to their own use, and had made very small
additions annually to the charitable gifts, and that after
making the payments before mentioned the Company
wrongfully claimed the whole of the surplus, and praying
that an account might be taken of all sums received by the
defendants in respect of the rents of said messuages, &c.,
and of any fines received by them on granting leases, and
also an account of all monies paid by the Company
towards the charitable uses aforesaid during the period
for which the aforesaid account of rents should be taken,
and that the Company might be decreed to answer and pay
the balance which should appear to be due on such
account, and that the same might be invested for the benefit
of the Charity; and that it might be declared that the
interest thereof and all yearly profits of the said messuages
which should remain after the payment of the several sums
mentioned, and directed by said Wm. Robson to be paid
by the Company, ought to be applied towards the proportional augmentation of the same Charities respectively,
and that it might be referred to the Master to approve of a
scheme for the proper application thereof.
It does not appear that the cause was ever brought to a
hearing.
Mr. Thompson, the clerk to the Salters' Company,
informs me that in August 1834 he reported to the Court
of Assistants of the Company that the Company's answer
had been put in to the information, and that since then he
had been in communication with the Attorney-General's
solicitors in consequence of their intended application to
the Court of Chancery to inspect all books, &c. of the
Company in anywise relating thereto, in the course of
which they admitted that the Company's answer was so
full that they did not consider there was any strong ground
for proceeding with the information, and suggested that
an application might be made to the Attorney-General for
his opinion whether under the circumstances all further
proceedings should not be abandoned. Mr. Thompson
further reported that he had declined being a party to such
a reference, as partaking of a species of compromise. And
for the same reason he could not assent to any such plan
upon any understanding that the Company were to pay
costs; if the Court considered that there was a sufficient
case to warrant costs it would be a different thing. It was
arranged that the subject should be mentioned to the
Court of Assistants, and if sanctioned by them the application should be made to the Attorney-General on the
part of the relators alone, and that afterwards the Court
should be applied to for sanctioning the abandonment of
the information. The matter was fully discussed, and it
appears by a minute of the 7th August 1834 that it was
finally resolved that the Court of Assistants concurred as
to the propriety of agreeing with any reasonable suggestion
for staying further proceedings in the information in question, so that it should not involve any possibility of
charging the Company with compounding the subject
matter of the information, and that the clerk of the Company be authorised to agree to the proposed manner of
bringing the question before the Court.
In reply to my inquiry for a statement of the further
proceedings, and a copy of any decree which might have
been made, Mr. Thompson writes as follows:—
" On receipt of your letter of the 13th November I made
further inquiry on the subject, and having learnt that the
index only had been searched which did not extend so far
back as 1833, when the suit was filed, I have had further
search made during the earlier period, but no trace of any
decree can be found."
There is not I apprehend any doubt that the suit
entirely failed to charge the Company with any greater
sum than the specific payments which they had undertaken by their agreement with the donor to make. The
20l. "to be expended yearly by the Company about the
"time of his decease," being excluded, the total charge
under the foundation is the sum of 107l. 10s. a year, which
(with the exception of the 2l. 10s. for a sermon after
mentioned) is appropriated as follows:—
|
| £ | s. | d. |
| To the poor of the Company. This
is given, 6l. to the Beamond Almsmen, 13l. to the Monkwell Street
Almswomen, and 1l. to the additional gifts | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| To the poor of Newport, on the receipt
of the incumbent | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| To the minister of Newport (Rev.
Mr. Sandford) | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| To the master of the Free School,
Newport (1862, John Lees) | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| To the Hospitals of Bridewell, Christchurch, St. Thomas, and St. Bartholomew | 25 | 0 | 0 |
| The Bursars of St. John's College,
Oxford, towards the maintenance
of two poor scholars there | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| The Bursars of Jesus' College, Oxford, towards the maintenance of
two poor scholars there | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| The Officers of the Company for their
pains and trouble, Master, Wardens, Clerk, and Beadle | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| 105 | 0 | 0 |
The sermon to be preached on the day of the decease of
the founder has not been preached for many years, nor as
it appears since the feast was discontinued, and the 2l.
given for that purpose, as well as the two sums of 5s. each
to the officers of the church have not been appropriated.
It has been suggested that a sum in respect of the arrears
of this payment for a certain period should be set apart with
the accruing payments for some other charitable purpose. (fn. 7)
Mrs. Cock's Gift.
Mrs. Cock gave 100l. to the Company to pay (in addition
to the 2l. 12s. to the almshouses)—
|
| £ | s. | d. |
| To the poor of St. Martin, Ludgate | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| " prisoners in Ludgate | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| " poor of Bread Street Ward | 1 | 6 | 4 |
The payment is made to the churchwardens of St. Martin,
Ludgate, and the City prisoners 2s. 6d. a year (as at date of
fast inquiry), on the receipt of Mr. Temple, the officer of
the Court of Aldermen.
The sum of 2l. is given to the almsmen in Beamond's
almshouses, and the 12s. to the almswomen in Monkwell
Street on the distribution day.
A sum of 1l. 11s. 8d. is divided amongst the officers of
the Company.
The Deputy of the Bread Street Ward receives a sum of
1l. 6s. 4d. annually, and gives a receipt for it, for the poor
of his ward. (fn. 8)
Harding's Gift.
Robert Harding, by his will of the 20th November 1568,
gave to the Company a yearly rent of 40s. out of two
tenements in Crooked Lane, for 36 poor men 12d. each,
to the Wardens 3s. 4d., and the beadle 8d.
The Company do not receive the rentcharge, but they
nevertheless add a sum of 1l. 16s. to their occasional gifts
to the poor of the Company.
The 3s. 4d. a year is paid to the officers.
Peter Blundell's Gift.
Peter Blundell, by his will of the 9th June 1599, gave to
the Company 150l. to purchase hereditaments and pay
40s. to the poor prisoners of Ludgate.
The sum of 2l. a year is paid, on the receipt of Mr. Temple,
the officer of the Court of Aldermen. (fn. 9)
Plompton's Gift.
Henry Plompton gave 100l. to the Company, to be lent
out to young men, they paying 40s., viz.:
|
| s. |
| To the Company's use | 20 |
| To the clerk and beadle | 10 |
| To the poor-box | 10 |
The sum of 1l. a year is given annually, 10s. being
added to the Casual Gifts Fund and 10s. to the officers.
The Capital Fund formed one of the subjects of the suit
regarding the Loan Funds, mentioned in my Report on
Sir John Coates' Charity.
David Cock's Gift.
David Cock gave 100l., to be lent to two young men,
each paying yearly 23s. 4d., of which 40s. should be paid
to the parson of Allhallows for the repair of the church,
and 6s. 8d. to the Master and Wardens.
The sum of 2l. a year is paid annually, on the receipt of
the churchwarden of the parish of Allhallows, Bread
Street.
The capital sum was a subject of suit as part of the
Loan Fund, mentioned in my Report of Sir John Coates'
Charity.
Ireland's Gift.
John Ireland gave 200l., to be lent out at seven per cent.,
and the interest paid as follows:—
|
| £ | s. | d. |
| To the Master and Wardens | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| To the poor's-box | 2 | 13 | 4 |
| To the clerk and beadles | 0 | 6 | 8 |
| To the parish of St. Mildred, Bread
Street | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Towards the account dinner of the
Company | 6 | 0 | 0 |
The Company appropriated 6l. 13s. 4d. as the estimated
produce of this gift.
The sum of 4l. a year is paid to the churchwardens of
St. Mildred, Bread Street, and a sum of 2l. 13s. 4d. is
added to the fund for casual gifts to the poor of the
Company.
This sum, though a loan fund, does not appear to have
been mentioned in the suit against the Company as be
longing to that class of charities. (See Sir John Coates'
Gift.)
Crisp's Gift.
Ellis Crisp gave to the Company 150l., to be lent to
three young men at 4 per cent., to be paid as follows:—
|
| £ | s. | d. |
| To the poor of St. Mildred's, Bread
Street | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| To the town of Marshfield, Gloucestershire | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| To the Company's officers | 1 | 0 | 0 |
The Company pay to the churchwarden of St. Mildred,
Bread Street, a sum of 1l. a year, and to the vicar of the
parish of Marshfield, Gloucestershire, 4l. a year, upon the
certificate referred to in the former report.
I do not find any record of the existence of the capital
fund, nor was it mentioned in the suit included under the
head of Sir John Coates' Charity.
Lady Nicholas' Gift.
Lady Nicholas gave 200l. (of which the Company only
received 50l.) to be lent to a young man, he paying 20s. to
the poor of St. Mildred's, Bread Street.
The sum of 1l. a year is paid to the churchwardens of
St. Mildred's, Bread Street.
The capital sum was part of the subject of inquiry in the
suit as to loans. (See Sir John Coates' Gift.)
Barnard Hyde's Gift.
By Indenture of the 12th December 1630, between
Barnard Hyde of the one part and the Master, Wardens,
and Commonalty of the Salters' Company of the other
part, in consideration that Barnard Hyde had given to
the Company certain sums of money, they covenanted to
purchase lands of 62l. a year, to be bestowed as follows:—
|
| £ | s. | d. |
| To a preacher for a weekly sermon in
St. Dunstan's in the East or St.
Mary at Hill | 30 | 0 | 0 |
| To the poor of the parish where the
said lecture should be performed | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| To 10 poor men of the Company | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| To the parish of Little Ilford, Essex | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| To 54 poor widows or maids (5s.
each) of three parishes out of 30,
so that the distribution should
come round once in every tenth
year | 13 | 10 | 0 |
| To the Master, Wardens, and Officers | 3 | 0 | 0 |
And the residue (4l. 10s.) to be yearly disposed of at
some loving meeting of the Company.
The houses in Gracechurch Street, out of which this
Charity Fund arises, are the property of the Company,
and are let to — Hyam at a rent of 300l. a year.
The residue beyond the payments to the Charitable
purposes belong to the Company.
The lecturer at present appointed by the Company is
the rector of St. Mary at Hill, the Rev. John Crosthwaite.
The Company have since 1851 paid the lecturer 50l. per
annum, instead of the 30l. directed by the Foundation
Deed.
There is a Tuesday evening lecture delivered in the
church weekly.
The churchwardens of the same parish receive 5l. for
their poor.
The churchwardens of Little Ilford receive annually 1l.
for four poor persons of that parish.
The sum of 13l. 10s. is divided amongst the several
parishes, according to the rota, for the 54 poor maids or
widows. I refer on this distribution to my reports on the
several parishes.
The sum of 5l. given to the poor men is distributed
amongst the poor women in Monkwell Street Almshouses
at the Distribution Day.
The sum of 3l. is distributed amongst the Officers of
the Company, making an entire distribution of 57l. 10s. (fn. 10)
James Smith's Almshouses at Maidenhead.
James Smith, by Indentures of the 22nd and 23rd July
1661, after reciting that he had then lately erected at
Maidenhead eight tenements or Almshouses for eight poor
men and their wives, conveyed to the Company a messuage
and land in the parishes of Bray and Cookham upon trust
to pay—
|
| £ | s. | d. |
| To the said eight men and their
wives | 40 | 0 | 0 |
| To the churchwardens of Cookham
for bread on Sunday | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| To the churchwardens for their
trouble | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| To the churchwardens of Maidenhead
for their oversight of the almspeople | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| To the minister of Cookham for a
sermon | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| To the clerk of that parish | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| To the minister of Maidenhead for a
sermon 20s., and to the clerk 10s. | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| To the six poor almsmen of the Company | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| To the clerk of the Company 2l., and
the beadle 10s. | 2 | 10 | 0 |
And the residue, if any, for the repair of the Almshouses.
The Deed directs that there should be 20 trustees,
freemen of the Company, and not members of the Court,
and it prescribes also the rules and orders to be observed
in nominations to the Almshouses.
The last appointment of trustees was made on the
31st December 1845, and of whom several are still surviving.
The property of the Charity consists of the following
particulars:—
|
| £ | s. | d. |
| 1. Norden farm in the parish of
Bray. A farmhouse and buildings, formerly 116a. 3r. 11p. of
land, now about 115 acres. Let
to James Henry Clark on an
agreement for a lease for 14 years
from Michaelmas 1850 | 190 | 0 | 0 |
| 2. A field near the almshouses,
containing 3a. 2r. 9p. of land.
Let to — Spratley, a yearly
tenant | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| (2a. 1r. 15p., part of this land, was
purchased with 320l., part of the
sum of 392l. received from the
Great Western Railway Company
in respect of 1a. 3r. 9p., land taken
by them.) |
| 3. A sum of 90l. Reduced 3 per
Cents., the residue of the purchase money, standing in the
name of Edward Thompson, the
clerk of the Company | 2 | 14 | 0 |
| To the endowment of James Smith
must be added the rentcharge
given by Mary Parkhurst and
Elizabeth Smith | 45 | 12 | 0 |
| And a sum of 8l. a year given by
Mrs. Smith the elder | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| 258 | 6 | 0 |
The expenses of the estate are:—
|
| £ | s. | d. |
| Insurance on farm and buildings | 4 | 11 | 6 |
| (In the last six years about 125l. has
been spent on the farm property.)
Quitrent to Earl Somers | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| 4 | 12 | 10 |
The expenses connected with the almshouses may be
thus estimated:—
|
| £ | s. | d. |
| Insurance | 4 | 10 | 0 |
| The expenses of repairs and improvements of the almshouses for the
last seven years have averaged
nearly 50l. a year. New offices in
the rear were added in 1857 during
this period. The average would
not probably in ordinary periods be
more than | 40 | 0 | 0 |
| 44 | 10 | 0 |
The almshouses contain eight sets of rooms, each containing a sitting and bedroom over, each set having a
separate outer door opening into a square.
The almspeople, whether man and wife or the survivor,
receive each—
|
| £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. |
| At Lady Day | 3 | 17 | 0 |
| At Midsummer | 3 | 17 | 0 |
| At Michaelmas | 5 | 7 | 0 |
| At Christmas | 3 | 17 | 0 |
| And each couple 2l., and
each single person 1l. | say average | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | 18 | 0 | = 135 | 4 | 0 |
| Also every alternate year
3½ yards of broadcloth
for the men and 3
yards broadcloth for
the women, and
making in coats and
cloaks. (This is a
variable sum. In 1862
it was 19l. 9s. 6d.) | about | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| | | | 158 | 4 | 0 |
The other charitable payments made by the Company in
respect of this endowment are—
|
| £ | s. | d. |
| To the Beamond almspeople at
Michaelmas, 1l. 6s. 8d. | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| To the chapel warden at Maidenhead | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| To the minister or perpetual curate of
the chapel at Maidenhead | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| To the clerk of the said chapel | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| To the vicar of Cookham for sermon
on Easter Monday | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| To the parish clerk of Cookham | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| To the churchwardens of Cookham
for bread for the poor | 10 | 8 | 0 |
| To the churchwardens of do. | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| To the agent of the Company for payment of the almspeople | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| To the clerk of the Company, 4l:,
beadle 1l. | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 35 | 8 | 0 |
These various classes of expenditure make up a sum of
242l. 14s. 10d., which would leave but a small annual
balance, amounting to little more than 15l. a year.
The variable expenses may perhaps be placed at too high
an average.
A deputation of the Company visits the almshouses
about every second or third year. In 1860 the expenses
charged in respect of this deputation was 14l. 14s., and a
sum of 4l. 18s. was at the same time distributed amongst
the almspeople.
At Midsummer 1862, when the accounts were made up,
there was a balance of 80l. 19s. 2d. in hand to the credit
of the Charity.
Under a petition presented to the Master of the Rolls,
Sir Thomas Plumer, in February 1823, a new Scheme was
prepared and confirmed by the Order of the Court of the
17th March 1825. The effect of this Scheme was to double
the amount theretofore paid to the almspeople out of the
charity estate of James Smith, and also to double the sum
paid to each of the other charitable objects.
The minister, churchwardens, and other inhabitants of
Cookham, assembled in vestry, nominate two married men
and their wives, both being of the age of 50 years, inhabiting within the parish of Cookham, (of whom six
according to the 23rd rule should be out of the street of
Maidenhead). These names being certified to the Company they choose one of the married couples thus nominated
to the vacant rooms. The 2nd rule requires that each
nominee should have been twenty years in the parish, and
should be approved by four of the principal householders
of the parish. The officers of the Company suspect that
the selection is not unfrequently made less with the view
and benefit of the objects selected than the interest of the
parish by the diminution of the rates. (fn. 11)
Parkhurst and Smith's Charities.
Mary Parkhurst and Elizabeth Smith, by Indenture of
the 16th May 1764, granted to the Company a rentcharge
of 50l. a year issuing out of land in St. Mary, Rotherhithe,
Surrey, upon trust to pay to the eight almsmen and their
wives 41l. 12s.
For fuel and firewood at Michaelmas 4l., and the residue
to be applied as the Company should think fit.
The Company receive 50l. a year from the Surrey Canal
Company, who have become the proprietors of the estate in
the parish of St. Mary, Rotherhithe, charged with this
payment.
Of the above sum 45l. 12s. is carried to the credit of the
Maidenhead Almshouses, and the remainder to the credit
of the Company.
Sir Timothy Waldo's Charity.
Sir Timothy Waldo, by will of the 26th October 1784,
gave to the Company 100l., the interest to be given to
two poor persons, being Protestants. And he also gave to
the Company 500l. Consols, to apply one moiety of the
dividends in apprenticing a poor boy of Hever, Kent, and
if no such boy could be found, the said moiety should be
given to the poor of Hever, and the other moiety to be
expended in clothing the poor of Hever.
The capital sum of 100l. does not appear to have been
distinctly appropriated.
The sum of 500l. 3 per cent. Consols stands in the
corporate name of the Company, and produces 15l. a year.
A sum of 7l. 10s. is appropriated to the clothing of the
poor of Hever, with respect to which an application for
trustees and a Scheme is now before the Board, and the
Company has intimated their concurrence in the proposal.
The Company are furnished at present with the bill for
the clothing ordered by the overseer and churchwardens.
The sum of 7l. 10s. for apprenticeship is generally
accumulated until sufficient is raised to amount to a premium. The last apprentice was bound on the application
of the churchwardens in October 1859, at a premium of
20l. There is now a sum of 30l. in hand on this account.
The sum of 5l. a year is carried by the Company to their
Casual Gift Fund, and annually distributed to the poor of
the Company.
All which I submit to the Board.
Thos. Hare,
Inspector of Charities.
15th December 1863.
Richard Chawry's Gift, otherwise known as
Sir Wm. Horne's Gift. (fn. 12)
Richard Chawry, by his will dated 13th February 1504,
gave to the Company certain hereditaments in the City of
London, charged with the payment of 5s. per annum to
the prisoners of each of the prisons of Newgate, Ludgate,
Marshalsea, and King's Bench.
This Charity is now administered by the Trustees of the
Prison Charities, acting under the provisions of a Scheme
approved by an Order of the High Court of Justice
(Chancery Division) dated 8th December 1876.
By an Order of the Board of 13th July 1877 the abovementioned charge, amounting in all to 1l., was redeemed by
the transfer into the name of the Official Trustees of
Charitable Funds of the sum of 33l. 6s. 8d. Consolidated
3 per cent. Annuities.
SALTERS' COMPANY.
TO THE CHARITY COMMISSIONERS FOR
ENGLAND AND WALES.
In pursuance of an Order of the Board, dated
19th March 1862, I have inspected the Almshouses under
the management of the Salters' Company, founded by Sir
Ambrose Nicholas, Knight, and Thos. Beamond; also the
site proposed for building Almshouses at Watford for the
reception of the almsmen and almswomen now inhabiting
the same, and have to report as follows:—
The Salters' Almshouses in Monkwell Street, Cripplegate, were founded by Sir Ambrose Nicholas, Knight, who
by his will, dated 28th April 1578, gave his 12 small
tenements situate in Monkwell (then called Mugwell)
Street, within Cripplegate, London, in the occupation of
seven men and five widows therein named, and intended
as Almshouses for 12 poor men or women being free of
the City of London (Salters always to be preferred), to
live free of rent during their lives, and to be admitted by
the appointment of the Wardens and Commonalty of the
art or mystery of Salters and their successors for the time
being; and he bequeathed the said 12 tenements with the
appurtenances to the said Wardens and Commonalty and
their successors for ever for this purpose.
A large stone tablet on the present building bears this
inscription:—"These Twelve Almshouses were founded in
" the year 1578 by Sir Ambrose Nicholas, Knt., Citizen
and Alderman of London, in the Gift of the Worshipful
Company of Salters, who rebuilt them after the Great
Fire of 1666, and who have been and are considerable
benefactors to the Charity."
These Almshouses, situated in a narrow street in
Cripplegate, are very old, small, low, and ill-arranged;
the large chimney-breast and staircase rendering the lower
or sitting room exceedingly narrow. The bedroom over is
rather better in this respect, but this is also narrowed by
a staircase leading to a little useless garret, or rather loft,
in the roof.
The four houses next Hart Street are exceedingly bad,
and in addition to their being smaller than the rest they
are nearest to a furnace belonging to a steam engine used
on the manufacturing premises immediately in the rear,
and stated by the almswomen to be a serious nuisance and
inconvenience, especially in the summer.
A more material objection, in which all the occupants
share, is that there is but one watercloset in the centre of
the Almshouses. Each almswoman has a key, but the
inconvenience of going along the street to this place, where
the receptacle for the dust, ashes, &c. of all the houses is
situated, and from whence also every drop of water has
to be carried, is very great. The state of substantial repair
appeared to me better than might be expected from such
old tenements.
The inmates receive 14s. a week each, also Christmas
money 31s. 6d., and 1½ tons of coal per annum. Medical
attendance is provided by the Company.
The Salters' Almshouses in Bow Lane were founded by
Thomas Beamond, who by will dated 1454 bequeathed a
considerable estate to the Wardens and Brethren and
Sisters of the said fraternity and guild, and as to six
houses, part of the devised property, the testator willed
that the Wardens and their successors should receive and
order six of the most poor and indigent of the art to
dwell therein.
Six almsmen of the Salters' Company now dwell in
apartments arranged for the purpose in two houses
belonging to the Company in Salters' Court, Bow Lane.
Five of the number are married. To each two rooms are
appointed. These houses are supposed to have been built
immediately after the Fire of London, and although there
were complaints of some of the rooms being damp, cold,
and dark, they are immeasurably better than the Monkwell
Street tenements. The houses are of course very old, and
the arrangement of the basement is bad—low, dark, damp,
and confined.
The repairs appear to have been constantly attended to,
and the substantial state of these two houses (with the
exception of the windows or, rather, casements) was better
than from their great age would be expected.
The six inmates here receive 10s. 6d. a week, 1½ tons of
coals a year, and other benefits.
Both the almsmen and almswomen extol the Company
for their liberality, and I found upon the whole less disinclination to the idea of removal than I have ever before
witnessed at similar inspections.
The proposed new Almshouses are intended to be erected
on a portion of the field called Butt Field, which is
situated within a quarter of a mile of the railway station
at Watford. They will be bounded by the Parsonage
House at one extremity, which is now in progress, and at
the other by new boys' and girls' schools, which are in
full operation. How far the noise during certain times
proceeding from the playgrounds attached to the schools,
in exchange for the constant sounds of factories and metropolitan traffic to which the inmates are now subject, would
be agreeable or otherwise will vary in different individuals.
The site is a desirable one, and so situated that drainage
to any extent can be had. It is stated that the main
sewer will be continued beyond the Salters' Company's
ground, all proprietors paying their proportion.
The road is laid out, but not yet made beyond the
schools before mentioned.
I was informed the front aspect is north-east.
The new district church is within two or three hundred
yards, and the distance to the centre of the town of
Watford under half a mile.
The works belonging to the Water Company are near.
The water is stated to be good, and the supply plentiful.
The plan and elevation submitted, although very plain,
appears well adapted to the purpose.
I am of opinion that the most casual view of the
improved habitations and more healthy locality can leave
no doubt but that the almsmen and almswomen will be
great gainers by the removal.
All which I submit to the Board.
John Simons.
5th April 1862.