The title of this Company is, "The Bailiffs, Wardeus, "Assistants, and Commonalty of the Trade, Art, and Mystery of the Weavers of the City of London."

66

The Company consists of two bailiffs, two wardens, and 21 assistants, who form the court of assistants. There are about 64 or 65 liverymen. A list of those who are voters for the city is appended.

There are also freemen, who are not liverymen; they have rather increased in number during the last two or three years, but before that they had been diminishing.

THE WANSTEAD, formerly the HOXTON, ALMSHOUSES FOR WOMEN.

By an indenture of lease of the 19th April 1669, between Sir Thomas Bride and others, surviving trustees of the parish of St. Leonard, Shoreditch, of the one part and the Company of the other part, in consideration of a certain sum of money to be expended in building almshouses, the parties of the first part demised to the company, all that toft, piece, or parcel of ground near the highway leading from the church of St. Leonard, Shoreditch, unto Hogsdon, containing 112 feet from east to west, and from north to south at the cast end 51 feet, and at the west end 19 feet 8 inches. To hold for 200 years at 68. a year.

The Commissioners of Inquiry state that it is probable the Company subsequently acquired the fee simple of this estate, and that the rent had not been paid for a long period.

Twelve almshouses were built on this ground, and stood there at the time of the former inquiry. In 1857 the Company purchased three acres of ground at Wanstead, with a frontage on the road leading from Leytonstone to Woodford Bridge of 300 feet, and a depth of about 400 feet. The purchase money of the land was 7501. and the land which had been copyhold of the manor of Wanstead was enfranchised by Robert Graham, one of the members of the Court, who was the nominal purchaser. By an indenture of the 6th of August 1861, the said Robert Graham conveyed the land to the bailiffs, wardens, assistants, and commonalty of the trade, art, and mystery of weavers to the use of the company, their saccessors, and assigns for ever. The deed does not express that the same was conveyed in trust for charitable uses, nor is the deed enrolled in the Court of Chancery. I have mentioned to the clerk of the Company that the Company should declare the trust, and cause the deed to be enrolled.

A portion of the ground is let to Mr. Arber, of Leytonstone, a tenant from year to year at a rent of 51. per annum, which is divided between the two almshouse funds.

The purchase money of the land, and the cost of building the two sets of almshouses (these and the Porter's Fields Almshouses), amounted in the whole, including interest of money borrowed, expenses of printing, collecting subscriptions, &c. to the sum of 7,9501. This sum was raised by the sale of 4,1981. 48. 6d. 31. per cent. consols, which produced 4,0211. 10s. 6d. cash (see the report on the Men's Almshouses) which was made up to the sum of 9,9601. 98. 2d. by voluntary subscriptions, added to some small receipts for interest on the fund before it was actually expended. append the printed appeal under which the subscrip

I

The documents relating to this stock are deposited in Glyn's Bank as belonging to the Weavers' Company and the interest is received by the bankers.

It will appear, therefore, that there remained in the hands of the Company a balance of 4931. 19s. 9d. cash uninvested on the 3rd February 1864.

The almshouses thus erected at Wanstead consist of accommodation for the 12 almswomen, for whom this endowment was created, and also for twelve men, six of whom were formerly in the Porter's Fields Almshouses, the site of which had been taken for further improvements.

The Company having thus removed the almswomen from the Hoxton Almshouses to Wanstead proceeded to convert the site of the almshouses in the Old Street Road into shops, which was done in 1860, at an expense of 5031. 5s. which they paid out of their own funds. The Company have opened an account with the Charity under the head of the Old Street Road Trust, charging 5l. per cent. on the entire loan, and not deducting any interest for the money paid off yearly by the rent. If the debt had been properly reduced the loan would now be paid off and the increased rent belonging to the Charity.

By a lease of the 6th March 1860, the Company demised to Alexander Whillett all that parcel of ground in Old Street Road, in the parish of St. Leonard, Shoreditch, with the three messuages and tenements standing and being thereon formerly used as almshouses, but to which shops had been added, for a term of 21 years from Lady Day 1860, at a rent of 1457. with the usual covenants for repair, with power to the Company to detertermine the lease on six months notice at Midsummer 1868. Under the circumstances stated that rent has never yet been brought into the Charity account. The whole fund applicable to the maintenance of the almswomen there from stands as follows: £ s. d.

£ S. d. The 400 0

The 400
The 400 0

0 31. per cents. Reduced annuities (Agace's Gift)

Cook's Gift)

12 0 0

0

0 31. per cent. consols (Baker's Gift)

0 51. per cent. consols (Mill's Gift)

0

031. per cent. consols (Thomas

8 31. per cent. consols (Platt's Gift)

97 0 0

The 2,100 The 333 6

£3,233 6 8 consols

The Old Street Road Trust, the rent of which should now be applied to this charity There will also, I presume, be an appropriation of a part of the interest received on the Railway stock, purchased with the 1,5531. 16s. 6d., the fund invested. The moiety of 1,0321 19s. 6d. New 31. per cent. annuities applicable under the order of the Board of the 3rd October 1860. In August 1864 there was transferred to the account of these Women's Almshouses 361. 17s. 3d.

Dividends on such moiety

£ 8.

145 0 0

15 99

£269 9 9

d.

The 12 almshouses at Wanstead appropriated to women each contain a bed room and sitting room and small pantry, with an outer door opening on a covered corridor in the upper story; (the men's apartments being all on the lower story). The women must be widows of freemen or free themselves. I observe that in the printed appeal for subscriptions there is the following clause :

"The Spitalfields silk weavers, descendants of the "French Protestants who found an asylum here in the "16th century, form the largest body of operatives

66

66

66

engaged in the same work, inhabiting any one part "of the metropolis. There livelihood dependent as it is on the caprice of fashion, is always so precarious "and variable as to defeat, in most instances, the pro"vidence of those who would by their industry lay up something for old age; and in periods of commercial depression the houses of these people have been the scenes of the most pitiable destitution, yet in the "hardest times they have shown the greatest patience "and regard for order and obedience to the laws of "their country, while as a body they have been charac"terized by their loyalty to the throne and constitu"tion. Some are emigrating, others thankfully accept employment in the docks, still there are large numbers who are unable to find any means of support."

It may be that some of the persons admitted to the almshouses have been by trade weavers, and have lived in Spitalfields, but the very narrow extent of the area of relief to the Spitalfield members of this Charity only seem to me scarcely to justify the language in which their claims have been urged on the public.

The almswomen receive the following allowances:—

The beadle's house forms part of the building. The salary of the beadle, who resides on the spot and superntends the establishment, is 451. per annum, which the Company pay out of their own funds.

On the 22nd August 1864, the Company, in order to balance the disbursements and income of the Women's Almshouses, carried from the General Charitable Fund 361. 16s. 2d.

This transfer made up an expenditure of 1797. 13s. 10d. on these almshouses in that year.

It should be remarked that the almspeople, in addition to what they receive from the Weavers' Company receive also from the Leathersellers' Company 481. a year, or 41. each (see Coverly's Charity, in my report on the latter Company).

SATCHWELL'S GIFT.

William Satchwell, by will of the 12th April 1675, gave 301. to the Company, the interest whereof to buy eight pairs of shoes and stockings for eight poor free

men's widows. Under an order of the Board, dated the 3rd October 1860, made upon the application of William Ballance and John Vanner, two of the wardens of the Company, the Company were advised that they might properly apply the annual income of the prin cipal funds of this and other charities, and the accumulations of such income (which then amounted to 401. on this Charity), towards the benefit or support of the inmates of the almshouses recently erected by the Company at Wanstead, so far as they should find it impracticable, from the want of duly qualified candidates, or from any other cause, to apply or distribute such income in the specific manner directed by the founder.

The capital and accumulations have been invested in the purchase of 79l. 178. 1d., New 31. per cent. stock, part of a sum of 2,0781. 38., like stock, standing in the corporate name of the Company. In August last the accumulated dividends of 6l. 18s. 2d. were divided equally between the fund provided for the two sets of almspeople, the women and men.

KYMIER'S GIFT.

In an indenture of the 24th of November 1679, it is recited that James Kymier had delivered to the Company 501., to bestow 21. 8s. yearly to the 12 poor people in the almshouses in coals, and 12s. on St. Andrew's Day for a dinner for the poor people.

Under the order of the Board of the 3rd October 1860, the Company were authorised by the advice and direction of the board. to apply the income of the capital and accumulations (then 127.) in the manner and on the conditions mentioned under Satchwell's Gift. The capital and accumulations are invested in 721. 18. 9d. New 3 per cents., part of a sum of 2,0781. 38., like stock, standing in the corporate name of the Company. The dividends, amounting to 21. 3s. 3d. a year, were accumulated until August 1864, when they amounted to 81. 5s., which was divided equally between the almshouse fund for the women, called the Hoxton Almshouses, and the men's, or Porter's Field Almshouses.

BAKER'S GIFT.

Henry Baker, by his will of the 4th of February 1775, gave 4001. Consols to the Company to pay the dividends to 12 poor women in the almshouses.

The sum of 4007. 31. per cent. consols stands in the corporate name of the Company, part of a sum of 3,2331. 6s. 8d. like stock, the dividends of which are carried to the account of the Women's (or Hoxton) Almshouses, now at Wanstead.

AGACE'S GIFT.

Obadiah Agace in 1782 transferred to the Company 4001. East India annuities, the dividends to be applied to increase the quarterly pensions of the widows.

This stock was afterwards converted into 4001. 31. per cent. Reduced annuities, which stands in the corporate name of the Company, the dividends of which are carried to the account of the Women's, or Hoxton Almshouses, now at Wanstead.

MILLS' GIFT. ·

Samuel Mills in 1805 transferred to the Company 4001., 31. per cents. of 1802.

The sum of 4007. consols stands in the corporate name of the Company, part of a sum of 3,2331, Cs. 8d., like stock, the dividends whereof are carried to the account of the Hoxton Almshouses, now at Wanstead.

COOK'S GIFT.

Thomas Cook, by his will of the 28th March 1810, gave to the Company 2,1001. consols, the dividends to be applied weekly for the relief of the 12 almspeople.

The sum of 2,100l. consols stands in the corporate name of the Company, part of a sum of 3,2331. 68. 8d. like stock, the dividends of which are carried to the account of the Hoxton Almshouses, now at Wanstead.

PLATT'S CHARITY.

Thomas Platt, by his will of the 21st February 1826, gave to the Company 3331. 68. 8d. 31. per cent. consols, the dividends whereof to be divided amongst the widows in the Wanstead Almshouses. The stock stands in the corporate name of the Company, Hoxton (New Wanstead) Almhouses account. (See the report thereon.)

ALMSHOUSES for MEN, formerly in PORTER'S FIELDS, and now at WANSTEAD.

Nicholas Garrett, by his will of the 16th July 1725, gave to the Company 1,000l. East India stock on trust to lay out part in purchasing ground and building six almshouses for six decayed members of the Company, and the remainder as an endowment for the support and maintenance of the same.

A part of this fund was employed in purchasing land called the Porter's Field, in St. Leonard's, Shoreditch, and in building six almshouses, and the residue which now, with the increase from accumulations, amounts to 1,2501. East India stock, produces a dividend of 131l. 5s. a year.

In the year 1851 the site of these almshouses was purchased by Her Majesty's Commissioners of Public Works and Buildings, and in December of that year the Company received the sum of 2,400l. as the purchase money. This was laid out in the sum of 2,4241. 4s. 10d. 31. per cent. consols, which were afterwards sold out, and applied in the building of the almshouses at Wanstead, forming part of the 4,0211. 6s. 10d. cash, mentioned in my report on that subject relating to the Women's Almshouses. The residue of the said sum of cash was produced by the sale of two sums of stock:

The 12 new almshouses at Wanstead for men form the ground floor portion of the building, and consist of two rooms and a small pantry for each person. The endowment consists of:

£ 8. d.
Garrett's Gift of 1,2501. E. T. C. stock 131 5 0
Carpenter's Gift of 400l. Bank stock,
about

An appropriation of part of the
interest on the railway stock (see
Women's Almshouses).

Also an appropriation of a moiety of
the 1,0327. 19s. 6d. New 3l. per cent.
annuities authorised to be thus
applied by the order of the Board
of 3rd October 1860. This was in
1864-

40 0 0

15 9 9

£186 14 9

The number of almsmen, which up to 1862 was in that year increased to eight, from July 1863 to nine, in October 1864 to 11. One of the pensioners of 21. has been admitted to the almshouses, but without the almshouse stipend.

The twelve Men's Almshouses are with that exception full. The men (except one) must be freemen of the Company. One of the men being a weaver may be admitted without being free. They may be married

*HOSEA'S CHARITY.

The house in question has since been purchase by the Metropolitan Board of Works at the price of 7,000l., and is now represented by the sum of 6,580l. 11s. 5d. New 31. per cent. annuities, standing in the name of the

Benjamin Carpenter, by his will of the 29th April 1731, gave 300l. to the Company as an additional endowment for the almshouses; 121. a year to be expended in coals. The legacy was invested in Bank stock, and became, by accumulation of bonuses, 4001. Bank stock, which now produces about 401. a year. It is carried to the almshouses account, and its accumations with the other funds form part of the balance standing to the credit of the Charity.

MORTON'S CHARITY.

By an indenture of the 28th of July 1664, between Rowland and John Morton of the one part, and certain trustees of the other part, they conveyed to the said trustees all their freehold messuages, called Hatchett's and Gillett's, in Great Burstead, Essex, in trust to pay 131. a year to Richard Morton for life, to be by him distributed among poor persons of the Company, and the residue of the rents should be received by the Company for their poor; and that on the death of said Richard Morton the Company was to receive all the said rents for the poor of said Company. The property consists of a house and about six acres of land situated at Billericay, and is now let to Abraham Burgess (or his widow) on a lease for 14 years from Lady-day, 1860, at a rent of 421., the tenant paying also 31. 48. for land tax and insurance. The income is carried to the General Charitable Fund.

HOSEA'S CHARITY.

Alexander Hosea, by will of the 19th March 1683-4, gave to the Company towards the relief of the poor of the Company his houses in Holborn with the Swan Tavern. This property is comprised in the lease granted under the authority of the Board's order of the 15th day of December 1863, to Mr. John Johnson, at a rent of 150l. per annum, for a term of 42 years from Christmas 1863. It comprises the house No. 1, Holborn Bars, and the ground at the back called Baker's Court. The rent is carried to the General Charitable Fund.*