John Came, by his will of the 12th August 1782, gave to the Company all the stock he had in the Bank of England, in trust to pay, subject to 607. a year to the Company for their trouble in keeping account, and 1301. a year to two annuitants, both of whom are since deceased, and subject thereto in trust to distribute the dividends to arise therefrom to and amongst clergymen's widows, blind persons, and deaf and dumb persons, in pensions of 57, each yearly, falling within the description mentioned in the will, and which are set forth in the forms of petition which I append.

The fund at present consists of—

WILLIAMS' CHARITY.

William Williams, by will of the 6th July 1809, gave to the Company 2,000l. New South Sea Annuities, for making some provision for three poor liverymen and their widows. In default of such objects, he gave the dividends to the poor of the Company in equal shares and proportions.

The fund has been converted into 2,1917. 15s. 8d. 3 per Cent. Consols, which stands in the corporate name of the Company.

The dividends, amounting to 651. 15s., are disposed of in three pensions to poor liverymen of 201. a year each, which are paid quarterly. There is a balance of 441. 6s. cash in hand. The annual outgoings are no more than the stamps and postages.

MILNER'S CHARITY.

James Milner, by will of the 19th March 1830, gave to the Company the contingent reversionary interest in 2,5007. and 7001. respectively, and the residue of his estate in possession, in trust that the said Company, on the receipt of the said residue and of the said 2,500l. and 7007., should invest the same on Government securities in trust to receive the dividends; and, after allowing themselves a reasonable remuneration, should half-yearly, within a week of receiving such dividends, distribute the same among as many poor and distressed fathers of families, that each father might not receive more than 301. a year nor less than 15. And that when once such a person or persons should be selected to receive the same from the Company, they should continue to receive the same during his or their life or lives, unless sufficient cause should appear to warrant the discontinuance of the same, in which case, and on the death of each annuitant, another should be elected within a month. And the testator desired that the Company should exercise a sound and unbiassed discretion in the selecting such persons for the objects of his charitable bequest to them as trustees, such persons as might have been unfortunate in business or might have continued bad health, and whose distressed situation in life might be solely caused by such losses in trade or ill-health, or such persons as might be unable to support their families in consequence of mental or severe bodily affliction, but should have borne good characters for honesty, sobriety, and industry.

The prior interests in the above sums determined, and the affairs of the executorship were administered under the direction of the Court of Chancery. The trust fund transferred to the Company now consists of 4,3811. 7s. 3d. Consols, standing in the corporate name of the Company.

There are four pensioners of 201. per annum, and three of 15. per annum. None of these are members of the Company.

I append a form of application.

NICHOLSON'S CHARITY.

Thomas Nicholson, by will of the 29th July 1559, gave to the Company 107. a year, charged on Smart's Quay, in the parish of St. Mary-at-Hill, towards the relief of the poor of the Company, upon condition that the Company paid 57. a year to the parish of St. Clement Eastcheap for the poor; also

To the Chamberlain of London

To the Under-Chamberlain

To the Master 3s. 4d.. to the four Wardens

1s. 8d. each

To the clerk

£ s.

d.

8 16 9

- 40 0 0

500

300

£56 16 9

s. d.

68

3 4

And the residue to the poor of the Company. The specific payments are made as directed, and the residue, amounting to 31. 19s. a year, is divided quarterly amongst five poor persons, mostly widows of freemen of the Company.

FLAYING ACT FUND.

By an Act of Parliament of the 44th Geo. 3. c. 71. (1808), repealing former Acts for regulating the flaying of hides and skins in London, Westminster, and Southwark, fines were inflicted for wilfully or negligently cutting hides and skins in the flaying thereof, and for executing its provisions commissioners were appointed by the Butchers', Curriers', and Cordwainers' Companies.

By section 42 the surplus moneys received by the treasurer were directed to be paid as follows :-

One fourth to the Butchers' Company.
One fourth to the Curriers' Company.
One fourth to the Cordwainers' Company.
One fourth to the nominee of the commissioners.

Elizabeth Love, by her will dated March 1805 (proved in London 2nd July 1805), after the death of Jane Clements and Margaret Hibbert, gave and bequeathed 2001. stock in the Old South Sea Annuities to the governors and trustees of the Cordwainers' Company, for the benefit of blind persons.

2581. 16s. ld cash was received from the testatrix's representatives, and invested on the 8th December 1859 in 2651. 16s. 6d. Consols; the dividends, 77. 19s. 5d., are paid annually to a blind person, the oldest of Came's blind pensioners having hitherto been taken.

WOOLNOUGH'S GIFTS.

Martha and Ann Woolnough, formerly pensioners under Came's charity, having become entitled to a small income, retired from that charity, and they paid to the Cordwainers' Company the sum of 100%., to be applied for the benefit of blind persons at the discretion of the Company; and this sum was, on the 9th December 1863, laid out in the purchase of 1107. 3s. 10d. Reduced Stock, the dividends whereof it is intended to pay annually to the senior blind pensioner in age under Came's Charity. All which I submit to the Board. 4th July 1865:

THOS. HARE,
Inspector of Charities.

Your petitioner, therefore, humbly prays that she may be admitted a partaker of the bequest in favour of clergymen's widows under your distribution. Dated the

day of

This certificate to be signed by six of the principal inhabitants of the parish in which the deceased did duty

18

These are to certify that we have made full inquiry concerning the alle gations contained in the above petition, and believe them to be true, and that the petitioner is of a sober, godly life ; and we believe her to be in every respect a proper person to partake of the above charity.

at the time of his death.

Witness our hands this

18

day of

The above petition and the certificate of baptism, or declaration of the age, and the above certificate of facts, being all properly filled up and attested, are to be left with Mr. Francis, the clerk of the Company, at Cordwainers' Hall, Cannon Street West, London, on or before day of 18

the

CORDWAINERS' COMPANY, LONDON.

INSTRUCTIONS for obtaining a share of the late Mr. John Came's bequest in favour of blind men, under the distribution and direction of the Master, Wardens, and Court of Assistants of the said Company. The application must be by petition, stating the age, which must not be less than forty-five years, proved by certificate or declaration. That petitioner is totally blind; never received any allowance or support from any parish; never begged in the streets; resides in London, or within one hundred miles thereof; his means of support, without concealment or prevarication; that he is of sober life and conversation. The petition is to be verified by the signatures of six of the principal inhabitants of the parish in which the petitioner lives at the time he petitions. If the petitioner is married, the certificate of marriage must be produced when the application is made.

The petition to the Master, Wardens, and Court of Assistants of the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers, London

declaration annexed hereto.
That he is blind, and hath been so for the space of
years last past.

That he hath not had any allowance, or by any way received any support, from any parish.

That he hath never begged in the streets.

That he hath resided in the parish herein-before mentioned as the place of his residence for past.

years

That he hath no estate, annuity, salary, pension, benefaction, or certain income whatsoever, or other means of support, excepting

The petitioner must introduce by what means he is supported, without concealment or prevarication, and he is at liberty to add any circumstances that may tend to

prove him an object of the bequest.

Your petitioner therefore humbly prays that he may be admitted a partaker of the bequest in favour of the blind under your distribution, so long as he shall be thought a proper object thereof. Dated the

To be signed by the petitioner.

18.

day of

The above petition, and the certificate or declaration of the age, and the above certificate of facts, and certificate of the surgeon, being all properly filled up and signed, are to be left with Mr. H. D. Francis, the clerk of the Company, at Cordwainers' Hall, Cannon Street West, London, on or before the first day of October, 18

N.B.-If unsuccessful this petition must be renewed at the end of three years.

If certificates of baptism and marriage respectively cannot be produced, the petitioner must make a declaration in the following form, varying it according to the circumstances of the case, and so much as is not required may be struck out.

And I make this solemn declaration conscientiously be lieving the same to be true, and by virtue of the provisions of an Act made and passed in the sixth year of the reign of his late Majesty King William the Fourth, intituled, An "Act to repeal an Act of the present session of Parliament, "intituled, 'An Act for the more effectual abolition of "oaths and affirmations taken and made in various departments of the State, and to substitute declarations in lieu thereof, and for the more entire suppression of "voluntary and extra-judicial oaths and affidavits; and "to make other provisions for the abolition of unnecessary oaths.'

66 6

66

CORDWAINERS' COMPANY, LONDON.

INSTRUCTIONS for obtaining a share of the late Mr. John Came's bequest in favour of blind women, under the distribution and direction of the Master, Wardens, and Court of Assistants of the said Company. The application must be by petition, stating the age, which if married must not be less than forty years, if a widow or maiden, must not be less than thirty years, proved by certificate or declaration. That the petitioner is totally blind; never received any allowance or support from any parish; never begged in the streets; resides in London, or within one hundred miles thereof; her means of support without concealment or prevarication; that she is of sober life and conversation. The petition is to be verified by the signatures of six of the principal inhabitants of the parish in which the petitioner lives at the time she petitions. If the petitioner is married the certificate of marriage must be produced when the application is made.

The petition to the Master, Wardens, and Court of Assistants of the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers, London.

That she hath not had any allowance, or by any way received any support, from any parish.

That she hath never begged in the streets. That she hath resided in the parish herein-before mentioned as the place of her residence for years past.

That she hath no estate, annuity, salary, pension, benefaction, or certain income whatsoever, or other means of support, excepting

The petitioner must introduce by what means she is supported, without concealment or prevarication; and she is at liberty to add any circumstances that may tend to prove her an object of the bequest.

Your petitioner therefore humbly prays that she may be admitted a partaker of the bequest in favour of the blind under your distribution, so long as she shall be thought a proper object thereof.

Dated the

To be signed by the petitioner.

day

18

I do hereby certify that I have examined the above petitioner, and find her to be totally blind.

The certificate to be signed by a surgeon.

A certificate of the facts and circumstances contained in the above petition :The certificate to be These are to certify that we have signed by six of the made full inquiry concerning the alleprincipal inhabitants

of the parish in which gations contained in the above petition, the petitioner lives. and believe them to be true, and that the petitioner is a person of a sober, godly life; and we believe her to be in every respect a proper object to partake of the above charity; and we further certify that she has never received any allowance or support from any parish. Witness our hands this day of

18 .

The above petition, and the certificate or declaration of the age, and the above certificate of facts, and certificate of the surgeon, being all properly filled up and signed, are to left with Mr. H. D. Francis, the clerk of the Company, at Cordwainers' Hall, Cannon Street West, London, on or before the first day of October, 186.

N.B.-If unsuccessful this petition must be renewed at the end of three years.

If certificates of baptism and marriage respectively cannot be produced, the petitioner must make a declaration in the following form, varying it according to the circumstances of the case, and so much as is not required may be struck out.

on the

of

day of

one thousand eight hundred and And I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true, and by virtue of the provisions of an Act made and passed in the sixth year of the reign of his late Majesty King William the Fourth, intituled An Act to repeal an Act of the present session of Parliament, intituled An Act for the more effectual abolition 'of oaths and affirmations taken and made in various 'departments of the State, and to substitute declarations in lieu thereof, and for the more entire suppression of voluntary and extra-judicial oaths and affidavits; and to make other provisions for the abolition of unnecessary oaths.""

or declaration annexed hereto.

That she is blind, and hath been so for the space of

years last past.

CORDWAINERS' COMPANY, LONDON.

INSTRUCTIONS for obtaining a share of the late Mr. John Came's bequest in favour of deaf and dumb women, under the distribution and direction of the Master, Wardens, and Court of Assistants of the said Company. It must be by petition, stating her age, which must not be less than twenty-five years, and proved by certificate, accompanying the petition, that she is both deaf and dumb; never received any allowance or support from any parish; resides in London, or within one hundred miles thereof; her means of support; that she is of sober life. The foregoing qualifications are to be verified by the signatures of six of the principal inhabitants of the parish in which she lives.

The petition to the Master, Wardens, and Court of Assistants of the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers. London.

The above petition and the certificate or declaration of the age, and the above certificate of facts, being all properly filled up and signed, are to be left with Mr. Francis, the clerk of the Company, at Cordwainers' Hall, Cannon Street West, London, on or before

N.B. If unsuccessful this petition must be renewed at the end of three years.

If certificates of baptism and marriage respectively cannot be produced, the petitioner must make a declaration in the following form, varying it according to the circumstances of the case, and so much as is not required may be struck, out.

And I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true, and by virtue of the pro visions of an Act made and passed in the sixth year of the reign of his late Majesty King William the Fourth, intituled "An Act to repeal an Act of the present session of Par"liament, intituled 'An Act for the more effectual abo"lition of oaths and affirmatons taken and made in "various departments of the State, and to substitute declarations in lieu thereof, and for the more entire suppression of voluntary and extra-judicial oaths and affidavits; and to make other provisions for the abolition "' of unnecessary oaths.'

66

66

of

CORDWAINERS' COMPANY, LONDON. INSTRUCTIONS for obtaining a share of the late Mr. John Came's bequest in favour of deaf and dumb men, under the distribution and direction of the Master, Wardens, and Court of Assistants of the said Company, It must be by petition, stating his age, which must not be less than forty years, and proved by certificate or declaration, accompanying the petition, that he is both deaf and dumb, never received any allowance or support from any parish; resides in London, or within one hundred miles thereof; his means of support; that he is of sober life. The foregoing qualifications are to be verified by the signatures of six of the principal inhabitants of the parish in which he lives. The petition to the Master, Wardens, and Court of Assistants of the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers, London.

The humble petition of

Here insert place of of residence and business

of petitioner.

Showeth,

a deaf and dumb man,

That he is upwards of the age of forty years, viz., of the appears by a certificate or declaration annexed

age of

hereto.

That he is both deaf and dumb. That he hath not had any allowance, or by any way received any support, from any parish.

That he hath resided in the parish herein-before mentioned as the place of his residence, for

past.

That he hath no estate, annuity, benefaction, or certain income whatsoever, or other means of support, excepting Here introduce by

what means the deaf and dumb man is supported; and any circumstances may be added tending to prove him an object of the bequest.

Your petitioner therefore humbly prays that he may be admitted a partaker of the bequest in favour of the deaf and dumb under your distribution, so long as he shall be thought a proper object thereof.

Dated the

day of

To be signed by the Signature petitioner.

18

The husband must have had a settled duty, at the time of his decease, as a clergyman of the Established Church of England, in London, or within twenty miles thereof.

Widows having no children must be of the age of forty at the least, and those having children unprovided for, of the age of thirty-five at the least.

Baker, Eliza Maria Bagnall, age 43, No. 13, Froxfield College, near Hungerford, Wilts, widow of the reverend Thomas Bagnall Baker, late incumbent of Brompton Episcopal Chapel, Brompton, Middlesex; petitioner's income is 461. per annum, out of which she pays 251. yearly towards the education and maintenance of her youngest child. Presented 1862.

Bickell, Eliza, aged 68, No. 17, Leverton Street, Kentish Town, widow of the Reverend Richard Bickell, late licensed chaplain of the Strand Union workhouse; supported by a very small income. Presented 1858. Collisson, Jeannetta Shiells, age 47, No. 6, Highbury Grange, Middlesex, widow of the Reverend Matthew Anderson Collisson, late incumbent of Christchurch, Highbury; has twelve children, eleven of whom are under age and almost unprovided for. Presented 1864. Crawford, Susan, aged 45, No. 1, Graliam Villas, Pownall Road, Dalston, widow of the Reverend William Crawford, late minister of St. Andrew's Proprietary Chapel, Haggerston; has three children under seven years of age, unprovided for. Presented 1864.

Hill, Mary Wight, aged 65, Bromley College, Kent, widow of the Reverend Robert Lovelace Hill, incumbent of Saint Barnabas, King Square, Saint Luke's; she has no means whatever of support. Presented 1859.

Macguire, Louisa, aged 58, Dumbarton Villa, Hamfirth Road, West Ham, widow of the Reverend John Heron Macguire, late curate of Saint Jude's, Whitechapel; has one child partially dependent upon her; is totally unprovided for. Presented 1861.

Maudson, Ann, aged 39, late of No. 38, Grosvenor Park, Camberwell, widow of the Reverend William Thomas Maudson, late incumbent of Beresford Street Chapel, Camberwell; has five children; left without means of support. Presented 1860.

Wright, Catherine, aged 45, Royal Lodge, Leytonstone, Essex, widow of the Reverend John Pyndar Wright, late chaplain of the West Ham Union workhouse; has six children, all under the age of eighteen, of whom five are unprovided for; she has an income of only 151. per Presented 1863. N.B.-There are

annum.

vacancies.

CORDWAINERS' COMPANY, LONDON.

INSTRUCTIONS for obtaining a share of the late Mr. James Milner's bequest in favour of "poor and distressed "fathers of families, who may have been unfortunate "in business, or may have continued bad health, and "whose distressed situation in life has been solely "caused by such losses in trade or ill-health, or may be "unable to support their families in consequence of "mental or severe bodily affliction, but have borne "good characters for honesty, sobriety, and industry," under the distribution and direction of the Master, Wardens, and Court of Assistants of the said Company. The petition to the Master, Wardens, and Court of Assistants of the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers, London.

The above petition, and the certificate of baptism or declaration of the age, and the above certificate of facts, being all properly filled up and attested, are to be left with Mr. Francis, the clerk of the Company, at Cordwainers" Hall, Cannon Street West, London, on or before the 18 day of

P