GIRDLERS' COMPANY. MR. HARE'S REPORT. 159 159 MOUNTFORD'S GIFT SIDNEY'S GIFT The title of the Company is "The Master and Wardens or Keepers of the Art or Mystery of Girdlers of London.” The Company is composed of a Master, three wardens, and twenty-four assistants, with livery and freemen. The livery men, including the court, are 71 in number; the number of freemen it is difficult to state, but there are many not on the livery. The freedom is obtained by apprenticeship, birth, or purchase. The numbers have not of late materially varied. HUNT'S GIFT. Andrew Hunt, by his will of the 24th January 1431, directed that two chambers near the entrance to the Company's hall should be inhabited by two decayed persons of the livery, the eldest to have every week in money 7d. and also either of them a hood of the same livery. The chambers, as stated by the Commissioners of Inquiry in their report (p. 258), were not restored after the fire, nor any specific payments representing this donation now made. The Company however give their annual pensions of 291. each, and one also of 10. out of their own funds, and therefore any endowment derived from Hunt's gift would be more than satisfied. DAVISON'S GIFT. George Davison, by his will of the 24th March 1541, gave to the Company certain lands in the parish of St. Catherine Coleman, to give amongst the poor of St. Bride's in wood and coals 30s., and to the three wardens of the Company 6d. cach, to the churchwardens 6d. each, and to the Company's beadle 4d. This property, which in 1695 was let at 81. a year, was sold, reserving a rent of 40s. from No. 106, Fenchurch Street, out of which the Company pay 30s. a year to the churchwardens of the parish of St. Bride's. The residue is retained in the Company's funds. FLYCKE'S GIFT. Henry Flycke and Agnes his wife, by deed of the 21st October 1579, enfeoffed certain persons of a messuage or inn, and lands in Hammersmith and Chiswick, in trust to convey said premises to the Company for ever. And Henry Flycke, by his will of the 16th June 1583, gave to the Company the said premises of the yearly value of 51. 10s., to give every Sunday, yearly, 13 poor people of St. Bride's one dozen of bread, and also 200 faggots. The Company are in the possession of premises covered with a considerable number of houses on the south side of King's Street, Hammersmith, let chiefly on lease to various parties, and two plots of garden ground at Brook, which properties are considered to be taken under this devise, producing about 6007. a year. There is also a sum of 3,8401. 31. per cent. reduced annuities, representing a portion of the land taken for the Hammersmith Bridge. In 1831 an information was filed against the Company, at the relation of George Smith, an inhabitant of St. Bride's, praying as follows: That an account might be taken of all and singular the messuages and hereditaments devised in trust to the Company, and which had been acquired by the said Company. And that it might be declared that all the rents, &c. of said premises which had been possessed by said Company under the deed of feoffment and will were applicable for the benefit of the poor of St. Bride's, and that it might be referred to the master to take an account of all the rents, &c. of said premises received by the Company, and the application thereof from such time as the court might direct. And that an account might be taken of all the estates sold by said defendants and of their application of the money arising from such sale and of all other moneys received by the defendants on account of said charity, and that it might be referred to the master to settle a scheme for the application of the surplus rents, and all accumulations thereof. The information was heard on the 1st August 1832, and it was directed that the Company should, from the date of the decree, pay 501. annually in satisfaction of their liability to provide bread and fuel for the poor of the parish of St. Bride's, under the deed of the 21st October 1579, and under the will of Henry Flycke, and that this yearly sum should be a charge on the premises at Hammersmith, and it was referred to the Master to approve of a scheme for the application of said 501., regard being had to the said deed and will. By an order on further directions of the 7th May 1833, confirming a scheme which had been approved by the Master by his report of the 30th April 1883, and directing the payment of the costs of the suit. The scheme thus settled was as follows: That the said annual sum of 501. which should be received on the 29th September in every year should be expended in the purchase of bread and coals in the proportions following, viz., the sum of 331. 16s. in the purchase of bread to be distributed every week after the 29th September to the amount of 13s. among 13 of the most poor of said parish, and 167. 4s., the residue of said 507., be laid out in the purchase of coals, to be distributed in three equal portions among the said 13 poor persons on the 1st January, 1st February, and 1st March. That the vicar and churchwardens of said parish should receive and have the management of said annual sum of 50%., and the distribution of the bread and fuel to be purchased therewith, and should also select and nominate proper objects to receive the same so as to keep up the number of 13 of the most poor of the said parish, provided that no person who had within six months received parochial relief should be nominated as a proper object. That the vicar an churchwardens of said parish should keep a book wherein should be entered an account of the receipts and application of said money, with the names and residences of the persons taking the benefit thereof, and should furnish a copy thereof to said Company, if required, in order that the same might be duly examined, and the said book containing such accounts as aforesaid should always remain open to the inspection of said Company or of any of the inhabitants of said parish. The Company have since this decree paid the churchwardens of the parish of St. Bride's the sum of 501. annually, leaving the administration of the Charity, according to the scheme, to the parish officers. BEESTON'S GIFT. Cuthbert Beeston, by his will of the 5th July 1582, gave to the Company his capital messuage in St. Olave, Southwark, and seven messuages, on condition to pay 41. to the stewards of the Company towards the amendment of the quarter dinners, and he directed the residue of the premises to remain in stock, to be yearly freely lent to the poorest men of the Company. An information was filed in the year 1830 against the Company at the relation of Joshua Gottreux, praying that an account might be taken of all and singular the hereditaments devised to said Company, and that an account might be taken of the estates purchased by said Company out of the rents of said devised estates. And that it might be declared that all the rents of said hereditaments which passed to said Company as well as of the estate so purchased as aforesaid were applicable to the purposes of said will, subject to the deduction by the said Company of 41. to the steward of said Company, and that it might be referred to the Master to take an account of the rents, &c. of the several estates devised by the will, as well as those since purchased as aforesaid, and of the application thereof, and that, if necessary, one or more persons might be appointed to receive the rents thereof, and that an account might also be taken of all the estates sold by said defendants, and of their application of the money arising therefrom and from such sale, and of all moneys received on account of land tax as well as of all other sums received by said Company on account of said Charity, and that it might be referred to the Master to approve of a plan for the application of the surplus rent of said estate and premises. The houses in Tooley Street were taken for the approaches to the new London Bridge and are represented by the funds appearing in the Master's Report. By the Master's Report of the 19th June 1833 it appeared that the sum of 10,6087. was by an Order of the Court of Exchequer laid out in the purchase of 11,3917. 2s. 10d. consols, and the 9007. in the purchase of 1,4937. 13s. 2d. like stock in the name of the Accountant-General of the Court of Chancery. By an Order of the Court of Chancery of the 2nd July 1833, confirming the Master's Report, a contract by the Company for the purchase from Thomas Warlters of la. Or. 32p. of freehold land at Peckham, Surrey, for 3601. was approved, and a scheme for the future regulation of the Charity was established as follows:: That the Company should within six calendar months after the said land should be conveyed to them cause to be erected thereon seven almshouses conformable to a plan and specification to be sanctioned by the Master, fit for habitation at a cost of 2,6007. That the Company should pay to the almspeople annually 301. each by quarterly payments. That the dividends of the Charity funds, after paying thereout yearly to the steward of said Company 4/., and to the clerk and beadle 4s. a piece each in pursuance of the will, should be solely confined to the maintenance of the said almshouses, and the poor people inhabiting the same and otherwise as therein mentioned. That for ascertaining the proper objects to inhabit the said almshouses, the said Company should within one calendar month after the said almshouses should be erected and fit to be inhabited (and on vacancies) cause a public notice to be inserted twice in two London daily papers, and to be put upon the door of the Company's hall or other most conspicuous place or places in or about the same, appointing a certain day and time at the said hall not less than 14 days from the publication of such notice to receive applications from and on behalf of poor persons, being aged or infirm members of the said Company or widows of deceased members desirous of inhabiting the said almshouses. And the said Company were therefore to elect such as should appear to them or a majority of them to be the most necessitous and deserving objects of charity; such objects of the said Charity to be entitled to occupy the said almshouses and receive the said pension of 301. per annum, during his or her natural life, unless removed therefrom by the said Company on account of misconduct, or any other cause sufficient in their judgment to justify such removal. That the said Company should receive the income of the said Charity funds and apply the same in the support, relief, and maintenance of the said almspeople, and in the necessary repairs of the said almshouses, and otherwise as in the scheme mentioned. That seven poor persons at least being freemen of the said Company, or widows of deceased freemen, and proper objects of the said Charity to be appointed as aforesaid, should be kept up, and continued in the said almshouses with a discretional power to the said trustees to increase their stipend in case the said Charity funds should be found sufficient for that purpose. That after payment of any sum or sums of money in the necessary repairs of the said almshouses and insuring the same from fire, and any other necessary expenses, the residue of the said dividends, if any, should be invested by them in the purchase of bank 31. per cent. annuities upon the trusts aforesaid. That proper books of account and minute books should be kept and be open to the inspection of all the members of the said Company with liberty to take extracts therefrom without fee or reward, and for keeping the said books and making the distribution and payments therein beforementioned there should be allowed the annual sum of 107. lands and hereditaments of the yearly value of 40l. towards the maintenance of said six aged blind and impotent men, freemen of London, to each 67. 13s. 4d. yearly. (Continuation of Note.) several payments thereout and carrying on all necessary correspondence under the control and superintendence of the trustees, and the performance of such other duties as shall from time to time be required from him by the trustees. Application of Income. 3. The clear yearly income of the Charity which shall remain after the payment thereout of all necessary and proper outgoings and expenses of management shall be expended and applied by the said trustees in accordance with the provisions of this scheme. First. In the maintenance and support of the almshouses and their inmates as herein-after mentioned; Second.--In payment of the yearly pensions herein-after mentioned; and Third. For the other charitable objects and purposes herein-after also mentioned. AS TO THE ALMSHOUSES. Insurance, &c. of Almshouses. 4. The trustees shall cause the almshouses belonging to the Charity to be kept insured for a sufficient sum in some established public office for effecting insurances against fire, and to be maintained and kept in repair, and all rates and taxes chargeable thereon to be paid out of the income of the Charity. Number of Almspeople. 5. There shall be, as heretofore, six alinspeople, who shall be appointed by the trustees, and who respectively shall have the use and occupation rent free of the almshouse belonging to the Charity, to which they shall be respectively appointed, subject to such reasonable regulations as the trustees may from to time prescribe. Qualification of Almspeople. 6. Poor freemen of the City of London of good character, who, from age, blindness, ill health, accident, or infirmity, shall be unable to maintain themselves by their own exertions, shall be eligible for appointment as almspeople with a preference for those persons who being otherwise qualified as aforesaid shall have become reduced from better circumstances. In case of the death of any almsman leaving a widow the trustees may, if they so think fit, allow such widow during her widowhood to have the occupation of the alinshouse, and to receive the stipend enjoyed by her deceased husband, subject, nevertheless, in all respects to the provisions of this scheme so far as the same shall be applicable. Stipends of Almspeople. 7. Each almsperson shall be paid out of the income of the Charity a stipend at the rate of not less than 77. 10s. Od., or more than 101. per quarter, as shall be fixed and determined from time to time by the trustees, and the trustees in lieu of paying the whole amount of such stipend to the inmates in money may from time to time expend any suitable proportions thereof in providing such inmates or any of them respectively with fuel, clothing, or other necessaries or comforts as the trustees in their discretion shall think fit. Appointment of Almspeople. 8. Every vacancy in the almshouses shall be filled up by the trustees by the appointment of some duly qualified person, which appointment shall be made within the period of three calendar months from the occurrence of such vacancy at some meeting of the Court of Assistants of the said Company, every member of which shall have been duly summoned to attend. Applications for Admission. 9. Applications for admission to the almshouse shall be made to the trustees, or to their clerk, either personally or in writing, and every applicant must be prepared with sufficient testimonials and other evidence of his or her qualification for the appointment. The Company received the gift, and obtained the letters patent which are dated the 21st April 1612. They purchased a piece of ground in St. Giles, Cripplegate (since Almspeople not to absent themselves. 10. No almsperson shall be absent from the almshouse for a period exceeding 24 hours without the consent of two or more members of the said Court of Assistants, but in special cases such consent may, for any sufficient reason, be given retrospectively after the absence has occurred. Removal of Almspeople. 11. If any almsperson shall be guilty of insobriety, insubordination, breach of rules, or immoral or unbecoming conduct, or shall become disqualified from retaining his or her appointment, or if in any case it should appear that any almsperson has been appointed without having the required qualifications, the trustees, upon proof thereof to their satisfaction, may remove such almsperson and take possession of the almshouse occupied by him or her, and may proceed to appoint another almsperson in his or her place, or in any such case (except that of disqualification) the trustees may, if they so think fit, suspend the payment of the stipend to the almsperson either wholly or in part during such time as they shall think fit and expedient. Almspeople not to underlet. 12. No almsperson shall let or part with the possession of the house allotted to him or her, or suffer any stranger to occupy the same or any part thereof except with the special permission of the trustees and during the continuance of such permission. Trustees may prescribe Regulations. 13. The trustees may from time to time prescribe such reasonable regulations as they may consider expedient for the government of the almshouses and the inmates thereof, provided that no such regulation be at variance or inconsistent with any of the provisions of this scheme. Pensions. 14. A yearly sum of not more than 1507. may be applied by the said trustees, out of the income of the Charity, subject to such reasonable regulations as they shall from time to time prescribe, in the payment of pensions of not less than 107. or more than 301. per annum each to deserving poor persons residing in London or its vicinity, and having in all other particulars, except that of being freemen of the City of London, the same qualifications as are herein-before prescribed for the said almspeople. 16. No almsperson or pensioner shall be appointed by the trustees (except in the case of a widow placed in the vacancy caused by the death of her husband) until a notice specifying the qualification required from candidates shall have been advertised twice at least in one or more public newspaper or newspapers, and in the case of the appointment of an almsperson affixed to or near the principal outer door or entrance gate of the almshouses for the period of 15 days at least. Application of Residue. 16. The residue of the said income which shall remain after the several payments and objects aforesaid shall have been duly appointed for the satisfaction, shall be applied of the said trustees in such manner and in such proportions as they may from time to time think fit for or towards the benefit or support of any convalescent or other hospital or hospitals or other institution or institutions for the relief of poor persons residing in London or its vicinity, and suffering from disease, accident, or infirmity, or of any school or schools established for the education of the middle or lower classes in the same locality. The particular institutions or schools to be selected for the purpose aforesaid, and the nature, extent, and amount of the contribution or grant to be given to each shall be fixed and determined from time to time by the said trustees, or the majority of them assembled at a meeting; and the said trustees may, if they so think fit, upon making any such contribution or grant reserve to themselves in respect thereof, so far as may be consistent with the regulations of the institution or school so benefited, the right of nominating for admission thereto deserving poor, or necessitous freemen or inhabitants of the said City of London or its vicinity. (Note continued on next page.) No. 3 0 0 60 60 12 0 £413 0 0 There is, in addition to the foregoing productive property, the site of the old almshouse in St. Luke's parish, which may be let on tender. The almshouses in St. Luke's parish were in 1850 in a bad state of repair, and the Company had contemplated rebuilding them, when an offer was made by Mr. Walkins, a member of the Company, of a piece of land in Montpelier Road, Rye Lane, Peckham, of about 81 feet frontage and 83 back. This was conveyed to the Company on the 28th May 1850, upon trust "that they do and shall so soon as may be convenient to them after the expiration of "12 months from the date by and out of such funds as "they may have applicable to such purpose or otherwise as they may be advised, erect, and build, and furnish fit for "habitation an hospital or almshouse consisting of six 66 separate rooms or dwellings for and to be bestowed upon "six poor men for ever in such and the like manner as "the now existing hospital or almshouses has been hereto"fore established, appropriated, and used, but in lieu and "instead of such existing hospital or almshouses, and so that such existing hospital or almshouse with its appurtenances may hereafter be discontinued to be used as (Continuation of Note.) Copies of Schemes may be taken. 17. A copy of the scheme shall be kept with the books of account and other documents belonging to the Charity, and every person interested in the Charity shall be at liberty to take copies of the scheme or any part thereof, upon making application for that purpose to the trustees at such reasonable times and subject to such reasonable conditions as may be fixed and prescribed by them. Scheme to be printed. 18. The trustees may cause this scheme to be printed at he expense of the Charity, and copies may be sold at such casonable prices as the trustees may put upon them. Questions to be referred to Commissioners. 19. The several acts herein-before directed or authorised to be done, and the several powers herein-before declared to be exerciseabic by "the trustees," shall and may at all times be severally done, performed, or exercised by the Court of Assistants for the time being of the said Company as heretofore, and if any doubts or question shall arise amongst the trustees or any of them as to the construction or proper application of any of the provisions of the scheme or the management of the Charity, application shall be made by them to the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales for their opinion and advice, which when given shall be conclusive. Sealed by Order of the Board this 20th day of May 1870. (L.S.) (Signed) HENRY M. VANE, Secretary. £225 4 0 The repayment of the sums borrowed for improvement of the almshouses, and also some expenditure on the Charity property in Sherborne Lane after a fire, had up to the last year exhausted the income; but these sums being discharged, there is now a considerable surplus, of which the Company will at a proper time consider the application. At the end of 1863 there was a balance in cash of 2581. 5s. 8d. to the credit of the Charity. The almshouses are inhabited by freemen of the Company, selected by the Court. The Company advertise when the vacancies occur, and have always found applicants. BRIGHT'S AND NICHOLL'S GIFTS. William Bright, by his will of the 5th January 1577, gave to the Company 50l. to be employed in loans of 107. gratis, to poor young men; and John Nicholls, by his will of the 5th May 1583, gave to the Company 50l. for similar loans. The Company have no knowledge of these funds. It has not been the subject of inquiry in any suit. ANDREW'S GIFT. By an entry in the minute book of the Company of the 24th August 1631, it appears that Richard Andrews, on being excused from serving the three Wardens' places, gave 1007., to be laid out by the Company in the purchase of land, and the yearly profits distributed to poor brothers of said Company; and in August 1637, the said R. Andrews gave 801. more to be added to the said 1007. The money was laid out in the purchase of land in Hackney Marsh, and is now let as follows: And the testator directed that as the yearly profits of the land and messuage to be purchased as aforesaid would exceed the yearly sums to be paid, that the remainder should remain in the hands of the Company till it should amount to 1507., with which the Company should purchase land of the yearly value of 10., and distribute same as follows:£ s. d. To the parishes of Burwash, St. Benet, To the poor of Wapping To the minister of Ringley To the minister of Wapping To the poor of the Company 6 13 4 1 0 0 168 0 68 0 13 4 And he also directed that the remainder of the rent of the 24 acres of marsh land, and of the land and messuage of the yearly value of 67. or 81. so to be bought as aforesaid, should remain in the hands of the Company for three and lent out to poor young inen. years The Commissioners of Inquiry reported that the Company had no knowledge of any receipt or investment of the 110., and reported the endowment as consisting of nothing but the land in Romney Marsh. Ar information was filed against the Company at the relation of Joshua Gottreaux, praying that it might be declared that all the rents of said marsh land devised to the Company were applicable to the charitable purposes expressed in said will, and that the surplus rents above the payments which had been made throughout by the Company ought to be applied towards the charitable purposes directed by said will, to be answered by the rents of said hereditaments to be purchased with the 1501., and that the defendants might be decreed to account for such surplus, and that it might be referred to the Master to approve of a proper seheme for the application of the past and future surplus of said rents, regard being had to said will. The court at the hearing declared that the surplus rents and accumulations thereof, then in the Company's hands, after payment of the costs, and also the future surplus of the rents, were to be applied to the charitable purposes provided for by testator with refererence to the additional property directed to be purchased in and by the said will with the accumulations of rents, and it was ordered that it be referred to the Master to state of what the Charity lands consisted, and to approve of a proper scheme for the application of the past and future surplus of the rents, having regard to the said will. The decree on further directions was made on the 12th July 1833, whereby it was ordered to establish a scheme for the administration of the Charity as follows: That the balance of 2561. 5s. 10d., together with the yearly rent of said marsh land, should be applied to the purposes and in manner after mentioned : 1st. That the said balance of 2561. 5s. 10d. should be applied in trust in the first place to pay the arrears for 20 years then last past of the two annual gifts or specific sums of 2s. to the clerk of the parish of St. Benet, Paul's Wharf, amounting to 21., and of 20s. to the minister of Ringley, amounting to 201., and in the next place that the residue thereof, together with the future surplus after payment of the several yearly specific sums in said will mentioned, amounting to the yearly sum of 31l. 8s. 8d., should remain in the hands of the Company, but to be lent out by them to one or more poor young freeman or freemen of the Company, who should be in business for two years upon good security, without such freeman or freemen to whom the loan or loans should be made paying or doing anything for the same (excepting only the reasonable expenses). And at the expiration of such two years to renew the same loan or loans, or to call in the money and lend out the same again in like manner, and so from time to time and as often as the Company should find necessary or deem expedient. 2nd. That an annual sum of 51. should be allowed by the Company to the clerk of the Company for receiving the rents of said marsh land and making the several annual specific payments above mentioned and keeping the books and accounts of the Charity. 3rd. That a book should be kept by the Company entitled "Nevitt's Charity," wherein should be entered the receipt of the said balance of 2561. 5s. 10d., or whatever the same should be, and of the future rents and profits to be received for and in respect of the said marsh land, together with all the payments, and all other matters to be made and done in pursuance of the said will and of the scheme, and which book should be open at all seasonable times to the inspection of the members of the Company. 4th. That for the purpose of making available the said loan or loans to the best advantage, a notice should be put upon the door of the said Company's hall or other most conspicuous place in or about the same as often as there should be occasion, appointing a certain day at the said hall not less than 14 days from the time of putting up every such notice to receive applications on behalf of one or more poor freeman or freemen of the said Company in business desirous of taking the benefit of the said loan or loans. 5th. That the said Master and Wardens and Court of Assistants shall receive all such applications, and determine thereon and nominate such one or more of the applicants being a poor freeman or freemen in business as should appear to them, or a majority of them, to be the most proper to take the benefit of the said loan or loans. 6th. That the Company should be at liberty to let or demise the said marsh land with the appurtenances by the year at a rack rent, or for 21 years in possession, at the most improved yearly rent that could be obtained for the same, without taking any fine or foregift, and subject to such covenants and upon such terms and conditions as should appear to them, or a majority of them, to be most expedient, and, 7th. That in case of failure of any of the objects of the said Charity, the annual sums which might thereby fall in should accumulate in the hands of the Company, and be applied in aid of the loan or loans so to be made as aforesaid. The land, which consists of 24 acres in Romney Marsh, Kent, is now let to Mr. Hague, on lease for fourteen years, at a rent of 607., being an increase on the previous rent of 451. The former rent afforded sufficient to pay the entire gifts directed by both clauses of the will, that relating to the original lands, and the land to be bought with the surplus. The payments are made as follows, being less income tax :- |