PARISH CLERKS' COMPANY. TO THE CHARITY COMMISSIONERS FOR IN pursuance of a minute of the Board of the 1st November 1864, I have inquired into the conditions and circumstances of the following charities under the management of the Company of Parish Clerks of the cities of London and Westminster, and I have stated in my report, under the head of each endowment, the result of my investigation: Roper's Gift for bread and coals. The almshouses in Camberwell. The Company is styled "The Master, Wardens, and "Assistants of the Company of Parish Clerks of the "Cities of London and Westminster." The Court consists of one master, two wardens, and 17 assistants. The parish clerks of the 97 parishes within the walls, 17 without, of 24 parishes adjacent in Middlesex and Surrey, and of 10 parishes within the city and liberties of Westminster, are all eligible to join, and are admitted on application and on the payment of 31. 17s. 6d. (the 37. being for the stamp), the 17s. 6d. for the clerk, beadle, and general purposes of the Company. The quarterage to be paid is 4s. a year; many of these are not members. If district parishes are formed, the clerks are considered eligible in addition to those of the mother parish. The present number of members is about 68, including the Court. There is no admission from birth or servitude. ROPER'S GIFT FOR BREAD AND COALS. It appears from a recital in an indenture of the 3rd of March 1628 that, by an earlier deed of the 20th December, 10 Elizabeth, William Roper conveyed to William Green and others, brothers of the said fraternity, and their heirs, four messuages and three cottages situated in St. Olave, Southwark, to the intent that there should be yearly distributed out of the profits of said messuages 47. in bread or coals at All Saints, and the residue of the rents to be employed by them according to their discretions. sum The houses in Southwark referred to in this gift were taken by the Geeenwich Railway Company in 1833, and the purchase money is represented by a of 1,7221. ls. 7d. Three per Cent. Consols standing in the name of the Accountant-General of the Court of Chancery in re Parish Clerks' Company. The immemorial application has been for prisoners in the four prisons. Out of this the Company still pay 37. a year in respect of Newgate, Ludgate, and Queen's Bench Prison to Mr. Temple, the receiver appointed by the Court of Aldermen. They retain the Marshalsea portion, there being no persons to receive it. In respect of this, 37. now in hand. The residue of the dividends belongs to the Company. ROPER'S GIFT FOR PENSIONERS OF THE COMPANY. William Roper, by deed of gift of the 20th August 1568, after reciting that one John Jenkyns had devised a messuage in Candlewick Street, in the parish of St. Swithin, in length 124 feet and in breadth 12 feet, after the death of his wife Cecilia, to the guardians and commonalty of the Society of the Fraternity of Parish Clerks of the City of London, but that the said Jenkyns had no lawful authority to dispose of the same, it being the hereditary right by descent of the said William Roper from his father John Roper, proceeds to state that the said William Roper, being inclined, and at the desire and instance and request of William Green and others, the principal master or governors of the fraternity or guild of Parish Clerks of the collegiate and parish churches of London, that the pious uses and intentions of the said John Jenkyns might not be totally defeated, had granted, enfeoffed, given, and delivered, and thereby did grant, enfeoff, give, and deliver to the said William Green and others all that part of the messuage aforesaid, and the reversion thereof, to hold to the said William Green and others, their heirs and assigns, to the intent that they should pay or cause to be paid yearly and every year five marks to the masters or wardens of the fraternity aforesaid, so long as the messuage should remain in their hands, and to make conveyance of the same to the master, wardens, brethren of the said Parish Clerks, for the better maintenance, support, assistance, and relief of the poor children of the men and women of the mothers and sisters of the same fraternity when they should be thereunto required. The estate was situated in Cannon Street, and was taken under the City Improvement Act in April 1850, and the sum of 1,4471. 2s. 8d. 31. per Cent. Consols stands in the name of the Accountant-General of the Court of Chancery in re Parish Clerks' Company. The dividends, amounting to about 411. 6s. 8d. (deferred annuities), are received half-yearly, and are applied in pensions of 17. a year to widows of members of the Company. The number of pensioners have varied from eight to five. There are at the present time six pensioners. They are for the most part aged persons from 50 years and upwards, but no rule with regard to age has been laid down. The vacancies are filled up by the Court of Assistants, and are held only during widowhood. If any balance is found, it is carried on to the credit of the Charity; at this time (December 1864) there is a balance of 131. 16s. 3d., subject to the January payment. The pensioners have occasionally exceeded the produce of the fund, and the deficiency has been supplied from their own funds. HUST'S GIFT. Richard Hust, by deed poll of the 10th February 1826, gave in his lifetime to the Company 1007. Consols, the dividends to be applied annually, on the 21st September, to six of the most aged and distressed widows of members of the Company, to be selected by the Court every year. And by his will of the 12th February 1835 he gave to the Company 2001. Consols, upon trust to pay the dividends thereof on the 21st September yearly equally amongst eight poor women, widows of meinbers of said Company, aged 50 years or upwards, to be nominated by the Company. And by the same will the testator gave to the Company, after the decease of a legatee for life therein named, the sum of 1,000l. £3 per cent. Consolidated Annuities upon trust to apply the dividends as an addition to the increase of the funds for the maintenance of the poor of the Company who should be placed in the almshouses erected by the Company in Denmark Road, Camberwell, such poor persons not being under 50 years of age, and the eldest of such poor persons, if worthy to have the preference, such worthiness to be decided by a majority of the Court of Assistants. On the 22nd March 1860 the executors of the will met the Company's officers at their stockbrokers', and there handed to the master a cheque for 8471. 2s. 6d., the produce of the sale of the 1,000l. Consols, and which said sum the Company laid out in the purchase of 8961. 8s. 7d. Consols, and at the same time, in order that the pensioners might receive the full benefits of said 1,000l., the Company purchased with their own monies 37. 11s. 5d. Consols, so that the amount now standing on the said trust is 9007. Consols, and the executors at the same time paid over to the master the sum of 121. 15s. 5d., a half year's dividend due January 1860, on the 1,000l. Consols, less income tax and legacy duty upon said dividend. The stock standing to the account of the Company in their corporate name under these several gifts, amounts to 1,1801. £3 per cent. Consols, the dividends being 351. 8s. 6d. The dividends on the 2801. are paid to eight widows of members of the Company who have attained the age of 50 years, at the rate of 17. 1s. cach annually. Three guineas are added to the 67. received by Roper's pensioners, and the pension is thereby increased. The dividends of 9001., being 271. a year, are divided amongst the widows in the almshouses of the required age. In some part of 1863 there were two widows, and later there were three widows entitled to share. At present there are only two. PARISH CLERKS' ALMSHOUSES IN DENMARK ROAD, CAMBERWELL. By an indenture of the 28th April 1829, between William Curtis of the first part, James Doherty of the second part, and the master, warden, assistants, and brethren of the Worshipful Company of Parish Clerks of the parish churches of the city and suburbs of London and liberties thereof, the city of Westminster, the borough of Southwark, and the 15 out-parishes adjacent, of the third part, and Alfred Nelson Wicks, of the fourth part, all that plot, piece, or part of land or ground, being part of a certain larger piece or parcel of land, commonly called the Worth or Ox Mead, situate in the parish of Lambeth, in the county of Surrey, and containing on the south-east side thereof 93 feet, on south-west side 120 feet, on the north-west side 70 feet, and on the Denmark Road 120 feet, was granted, bargained, released, and confirmed to the said Company, to hold to them and their successors and assigns for ever. There is no declaration of trust, nor does the deed appear to be enrolled. The land was purchased by voluntary subscriptions, and eight houses for almswomen built upon it by like subscription. It is supported in the same manner, there being no endowment applicable for that purpose. Each house contains two rooms and a small kitchen, and there is a small garden behind. The vacancies are filled by the election of the subscribers, and the preference is given to the widows of members of the Company, but widows of other parish clerks, eligible to be, although they may not have been, members of the Company, have been admitted. I append a list of subscribers, and the rules of the almshouses. All which I submit to the Board. IN publishing a list of the benefactors and subscribers to the Parish Clerks' Almshouse Society, the committee for conducting its affairs have been influenced by mingled feelings of regret and hope. A contemplation of the inroads which death has made upon the society, and the scarcely less painful absence of those who have discontinued their support of its views, are circumstances which but too well justify a deep sorrow; whilst the consequent demand upon the energies of those who are yet spared to the cause has warranted a warm hope that the vacancies alluded to may be filled up by new friends and co-operators in the objects of this institution. And here we feel called upon especially to advert to a loss which will long be remembered by the brotherhood, and cannot but materially influence the means of attaining the philanthropic object upon which we are engaged: we refer to the decease of Mr. James Smith, the venerable father of the Company of Parish Clerks, who departed this life on the 8th of January 1856. The language of eulogium on his character is quite unnecessary with those who knew him well, and will not be looked for here: suffice it to add that, although removed from us, his memory will continue to hold its place in our respect; and, as a zealous and indefatigable friend and advocate of our institution, it cannot be expected, in the ordinary course of events, that his equal will soon be found in the support of its cause. As it is probable that this book may be placed in the hands of those who have hitherto been unacquainted with the object and even the existence of the above society,-the circumstances to which it owes its rise, and the principle upon which it was founded, will be briefly adverted to. In the year 1826 an idea occurred to a few individuals that the establishment of a fund for the building of almshouses would be attended with success, and form a very suitable institution in connexion with the Parish Clerks' Company. They immediately communicated with other members upon the subject, who cheerfully responded to the proposal; a society was forthwith formed; and, by annual subscriptions, together with the assistance of the donations of benevolent individuals, amongst whom were many of the most distinguished prelates and clergy of the Church, the society was enabled to purchase a piece of freehold land in Denmark Road, Camberwell, and to build thereon eight neat and commodious almshouses. And here may be called to mind the spirited and indefatigable exertions of two individuals, who may be justly referred to as the founders of this institution; whose philanthropy calls forth kindly remembrance, although they are no more; whilst the success which crowned their endeavours affords a pleasing example of the beneficial results which occasionally spring from well directed zeal and influence. The houses have now been built and occupied by deserving and aged widows for twenty-six years; and it is not alone with a view to meet the expenses incidental to such an establishment that the committee now call for continued aid-it is to give the institution a more extended character of benevolence-to raise a fund for the endowment of those houses; by which the society may not only bestow a shelter upon the bereaved objects of its bounty, but also be enabled to dispense among them the necessaries and comforts of home. Allusion has been made to the anxiety experienced from the occasional falling off in the funds of this institution, as also to the hopes entertained for its revival. Those hopes, the Committee rejoice to add, have not been wholly disappointed since the publication of our last printed report, the late Mr. Joseph Bettsworth Spier, formerly a member of the Company, bequeathed to the Alms House Fund the sum of 1007. (clear of legacy duty), which has been duly received by the treasurer, and added to the stock standing in the Society's account. This circumstance, added to the results of past exertions, has of course brightened its prospects, and holds out a cheering promise of ultimate success. To those who are unconnected with the Company it may be considered sufficient to rest upon the broad principle and object of the society in question; namely, the solace of the unprotected and desolate mourner—and that mourner, a woman and a widow! This consideration, if duly weighed, will call forth the generous sympathy of every kind and manly heart. But to those who fill the office of parish clerk additional arguments are presented: by them this charitable design may be recognised as a goodly token of that unity and brotherly feeling which should be so peculiarly the characteristic of their community; and thus this institution may, under Divine blessing, continue a lasting monument of the respectability of the order from which it originated. And further, the mutability of human events should always be held in remembrance; the brightest prospects may be darkened—the dearest ties must be separated: and, however prosperous the present may appear--who can foresee the blight which may render him, and those who are dear to him, the objects of that sympathy which man should ever extend to man in the hour of tribulation? It is the ultimate result of such melancholy vicissitudes of life that this institution is intended to alleviate-and the friends of Christian philanthropy are therefore entreated to support, by personal aid and influence, the cause of the bereaved and destitute widow. The FORM of a LEGACY may be as follows: I give to "The Parish Clerks' Alms House Society," instituted in the City of London in 1826, the sum of to be paid out of such part of my personal estate as I can lawfully charge with it, to he applied to the purposes of the Society, and the receipt of the treasurer for the time being of the said Society shall be a sufficient discharge for the same. OFFICERS FOR 1856-7. Trustees. Mr. JAMES ARCHER, 9 Cullum Street. Treasurer. Mr. WILLIAM ARNOTT, 39, St. Andrew's Hill. Secretary. Mr. JOSEPH WHEELER, 15, Jamaica Row, Bermondsey. IX. Committee. The MASTER and WARDENS of the Parish Clerks' Company for the time being. Mr. GEORGE NICOLL, Clothworkers' Hall, Mincing Lane. Mr. JOHN PEREIRA, North Cottage, John Street, Pentonville. Mr. HENRY SMITH, Skinner Street, Snowhill. Mr. WILLIAM WEBB, 5, Green Terrace, Clerkenwell. Collector. Mr. T. S. BULLARD, 9, Grocers' Hall Court, Poultry. RULES AND REGULATIONS. I. The almshouses are intended for the residence of widows of such parochial and other clerks of the Established Church as shall have been subscribers to the Alms House Fund, and have conformed to the rules and regulations made for the government of this institution. But if no subscriber's widow makes application, then the widow of any parochial or chapel clerk of the Established Church shall be eligible to become a candidate. And that, in case any daughter of a deceased parish clerk (formerly subscribing to this institution), of 50 years of age or upwards, offers herself as a candidate for the occupancy of a vacant almshouse, she shall be eligible for election thereto. II. The name of every clerk, on becoming a subscriber to this institution, shall be entered in a register book, kept in the Company's Hall for that purpose; wherein shall be written the rules and regulations of the Institution, and also the amount of subscriptions paid by each member. III. That all persons subscribing one guinea annually, or ten guineas at one time, to this institution, shall be entitled to vote, either in person or by proxy, at all elections of widows; and, by payment of additional subscriptions, shall be entitled, in the same ratio, to an additional number of votes. IV. Annual subscriptions shall become payable on the 21st day of February in every year. No person shall be allowed to vote at any election, unless his or her subscription be first paid up. V. For the management of business connected with this institution, there shall be elected from amongst the members four trustees, a treasurer, a secretary, and committee of not less than five in number, who shall, if necessary, meet quarterly-viz., in the months of February, May, August, and November, and also at such other times as circumstances may render expedient; five members to constitute a quorum. The trustees, treasurer, and secretary, shall be ex-officio members of all committees, as shall likewise be the master and wardens of the Company of Parish Clerks. VI. The treasurer, secretary, and committee, shall be annually elected at a general meeting to be held either in the month of May or June; but in case of a vacancy occurring in either of those offices, or in that of trustee, the same shall be filled up at the next general meeting which may take place, notice being given in the circular by which such general meeting is called. VII. All monies received for or on account of this institution shall be paid to the treasurer; and, whenever he has a sum sufficient to purchase 251. stock, it shall be immediately invested in the 3 per cent. Consolidated Annuities, in the names of the trustees. VIII. An account of all monies received or paid for or by this institution shall be kept by the treasurer, and shall be separate and distinct from all other accounts connected with the Company of Parish Clerks. That the trustees be authorised to sell out so much stock as may be deemed necessary from time to time, on receiving an order to that effect, signed by three of the committee at any of their meetings, At the meeting of the committee preceding the annual meeting, they shall audit the accounts of the institution preparatory to laying them before the members at the annual general meeting, when, if considered necessary, an abstract shall be produced by the secretary, for the use of members requiring the same. XI. On any almshouses becoming vacant, notice thereof shall be placed on the door of the Hall, requiring the candidates to forward their names, ages, and circumstances to the secretary within fourteen days from the date thereof; at the expiration of which time the committee shall meet and inquire into the claims of the several candidates, and shall then fix the day of election. The names of the claimants found eligible, and the time of election, shall be sent to the subscribers at least ten days before such election. N.B.-The candidates to attend at the said meeting of the committee, and on the day of election. |