Spaxton: Charities for the poor

CHARITIES FOR THE POOR.

Before 1392 land called Kytcotts at Holwell was said to have been bought for the poor. (fn. 1) In 1719 accumulated rents from the Parish or Poor's Land, evidently the same land, were used to buy a house and land at Waterpits, and the estate produced an income of £32 in 1786 and £48 in 1826, when sums of between 5s. and £2 were distributed. (fn. 2) The land was sold in 1919 and the money was invested in stock. In 1977 the income was distributed in vouchers. (fn. 3)

Elizabeth Rich (d. 1846) of Ebsley left £100 to the poor and distributions were made at Christmas in the 1890s. A further £300 was given to the poor in 1911 by Miss M. O. Galloway, a relative of the then rector. (fn. 4) Distributions of the Galloway charity were made in cash and in kind until 1958 or later. (fn. 5) In 1987 the charities were about to be amalgamated. (fn. 6)

In 1683 Joseph Cooke, the rector, leased some waste land north of the church house to build an almshouse. (fn. 7) The house was not then built, but under his will dated 1708 he left rents on lands in Stogursey for a house to be built south-east of the church for six poor people. Each of the six was to receive 2s. a week, fuel, and candles, and clothing or an allowance. A room was set aside for a reader paid to read prayers twice a day. Every year a banquet was provided for the six inmates and the trustees of the charity. (fn. 8) By 1928 the almshouse lands had been sold and the money invested in stock. (fn. 9) In the late 1950s improvements were made to the two-roomed dwellings, in 1981 the number of dwellings was reduced to four in order to enlarge them, and c. 1988 they were modernized. (fn. 10)