WILLIAM POPE'S GIFT.

William Pope, by will dated about 1678, gave a rentcharge of 31. 10s., issuing out of premises in Coleman Street, London, to be distributed to seven poor members of the Company or their widows, 10s. each.

The rentcharge was for many years regularly paid by the then owner of the Green Man Livery Stables in Coleman Street.

In the year 1835 this rentcharge was sold to the Corporation of the City of London, and 1167. 13s. 4d. New 3 per Cents.. now standing in the corporate name of the Company to meet the purposes of the Trust, was invested. Seven freemen of the Company, or the widows of such, on the 24th December receive 10s. each, which exactly absorbs the dividends.

SAMUEL BURGIN'S AND JOHN WILLIAMS'

CHARITIES.

Samuel Burgin, in 1736 Master of the Company, gave the sum of 1001. for the use of the poor of the Company. Colonel John Williams at the same time, being Middle Warden, gave 601. for the same purpose.

These two Gifts are now invested in the corporate name of the Company. The former is represented by 1331. 6s. 8d. New 3 per Cents., the latter in 807. New per Cents.

The dividends are applied to 16 men or women, freemen or widows, on the 24th of December.

WILLIAM REYNOLDS' CHARITY.

William Reynolds, by will dated 9th August 1768, bequeathed to the Company 3007. 3 per cent. South Sea Annuities, and directed that nine poor freemen of the Society should receive 20s. each from the dividend by quarterly payments.

The last Commissioners report that the stock appears to have been laid out in the purchase of land.

No one present at the inquiry knew anything of such ever having been the case.

This legacy is now represented by 3001. New 3 per Cents., standing in the corporate name of the Company. Six of the recipients of this Charity reside out of the Almshouses; the other three are almsmen. If there are proper objects not occupants of Almshouses, they would be preferred.

EDWARD FENNOR'S CHARITY.

Edward Fennor, by will dated 29th September 1603, gave a messuage or tenement in the parish of St. Helen's, London, to the minister and churchwardens of that parish and their successors, and the Master and Wardens of the Carpenters' Company and their successors, upon trust to divide the rents and profits into two equal parts, one to be distributed yearly among the poor of the parish of St. Helen's, the other among the poor of the Carpenters' Company.

The Company's moiety is 40l. per annum, which is added to the fund from which all the poor freemen on the Company's list receive 21. a quarter, or their widows.

There is also a list of necessitous liverymen and their widows, the payments to whom vary.

DONOR UNKNOWN.

By Indenture, dated 27th January 1656, James Palmer conveyed to the Master and Wardens of the Carpenters' Company three messuages situate in the Great Almonry, Westminster, for 2,000 years, at a yearly rental of 4d. upon trust, first to pay for certain repairs of the property, and then to employ the residue of the profits for the use of the poor maimed carpenters of the Company, or the poor widows of such carpenters deceased, at the discretion of the Master and Wardens.

The devised property was sold to the Dean and Chapter of Westminster, and the proceeds expended in land at Stratford, also contiguous to the other property of the Company, and is let to several occupants at 267. 4s. per

1057. New 3 per Cents., standing in the corporate name of the Company, now represents this Charity, the dividends, along with Pope's, Burgin and Williams', and Reynolds' Charities, being the dividends on 7351. Stock New 3 per Cents., is applied to the general distribution of 21. a quarter to poor liverymen, widows, and almspeople.

BUHL'S CHARITY. UNREPorted.

Charlotte Buhl, by will dated 17th February 1844, bequeathed to the Master, Wardens, and Commonalty of the Carpenters' Company the sum of 5001., to be applied for the benefit of the poor of the said Company for the time being, or such of them as the said Company might from time to time select. This legacy is now represented by the sum of 511l. 10s. 2d. 3 per cent. Reduced Stock, standing in the corporate name of the Company, and the dividends are added to the General Charity Fund.

ANN BOWYER'S GIFT.

This Charity, mentioned by the late Commissioners, is a payment made by the Company of 501. per annum to the churchwardens of All Hallows, London Wall.

By Indenture, dated 13th November 1654, the Master and Wardens, in consideration of 501. given by Ann Bowyer (or Bower), agreed to pay 50s. per annum to the churchwardens of Allhallows and their successors for ever, to be by them distributed among 10 poor inhabitants of the said parish at their discretion.

The payment is regularly made.

THOMAS WARHAM'S CHARITY.

This is also a payment made by the Carpenters' Company of 20s. a year in equal proportions between the parishes of St. Dionis Backchurch and St. Andrew Undershaft. This is a charge on some property of the Company's in Lime Street, City. It is regularly paid to the churchwardens of the parishes above mentioned.

NORTON FOLGATE AND WORSHIP STREET ESTATE.

By Indenture, dated 1st October 1630, Jonathan Brett and others conveyed to Thomas Potham and others. trustees for the Carpenters' Company, 11 messuages or tenements situate in Norton Folgate, London, in consideration of six hundred and threescore pounds, upon trust that the said trustees shall for ever permit and suffer the Master, Wardens, and Rent-gatherer for the time being of the Carpenters' Company to receive, dispose, and employ the rents and profits in such manner as to the Master, Wardens, and Court of Assistants of the said Company shall seem meet for the relief, help, support, and succour of the poor members of the Company, and of their wives and children, and for the aid and ease of their charge and taxes.

It was provided also that when the trustees were reduced to five, or sooner if the Court of Assistants should sc appoint, that the survivors should convey the premises to 16 others of the said Company of Carpenters on the same trusts.

The Company have for many years been in possession of four houses and tenements at Norton Folgate, and 11 houses and a half house in Worship Street, let at rents latterly amounting to 5731. 13s. per annum.

The bulk of this property has just been sold to the North London Railway Company for the sum of 4,0231., now invested in the name of the Accountant-General in the purchase of 4,4201. 178. 6d. 3 per cent. Reduced Stock. This is the main fund, from whence the liverymen, freemen, and almspeople are paid.

CARPENTERS' ALMSHOUSES, TWICKENHAM.

The Carpenters' Company in 1842 erected 10 Almshouses at a cost, including the site, of between 3,000l. and 4,000l., and elected 10 almspeople to occupy them (subject to certain rules appended hereto), with the allowance of 8s. per week and two tons of coal per annum each. The objects of this Charity are decayed liverymen or freemen of the Company of 55 years of age or upwards, and the widows of such of the age of 50 or upwards, appointed by the Court. A regular medical attendant is appointed. The books of the Company show a balance in their favour (i.e., against the Charities) of over 5007. All which I submit to the Board.

RULES, REGULATIONS, and ORDERS for the Management of the ALMSHOUSES, belonging to the WORSHIPFUL COMPANY of CARPENTERS, at TWICKENHAM, in the County of Middlesex, and for the good conduct and government of the inmates.

1st. That the institution shall be styled the Almshouses of the Worshipful Company of Carpenters of the City of London.

2nd. That its object shall be to receive poor, aged, decayed or infirm liverymen and freemen of the said Company and their wives or widows, who are expected to reside therein constantly.

3rd. That the management of the institution shall be under the control of the Court of Master, Wardens, and Assistants of the said Company for the time being.

4th. That the selection and appointment of persons to occupy the almshouses be exclusively vested in the said Court.

5th. That one of the men admitted as a pensioner be appointed to superintend all persons admitted into the almshouses, and that every inhabitant be therefore required to comply with the foregoing and following rules and orders, and with such others as may from time to time be made by the Court of the Company, for the good conduct and general management of the almsfolk and other inhabitants.

6th. That if, after any remonstrance from the Superintendent, any of the rules and orders should not be complied with, the Superintendent do report the same to the Clerk of the Company for the consideration of the Court.

7th. That all the almsfolk who are able attend Divine Service in the neighbouring church every Sunday morning, and that such of them who shall not be able to do so be recommended to read prayers in their own dwellings. Also, that they shall assemble themselves together on the afternoon of Sunday, and every other day in the committee room of the almshouses at three o'clock, when the Prayers of the Church of England, or such a selection from them as may be approved by the Court of the Company, shall be read by the Superintendent or such person as shall be appointed by the said Court, and that no person shall be absent from such service unless confined to the house by sickness or infirmity, or to whom permission for such absence shall be given by the Court, and that all persons who do absent themselves, who have not the plea of disability, or permission given to them as above stated, shall be reported by the Superintendent in the mode mentioned in Rule Six.

8th. That the gates for the entrance of carriages be kept locked, and the key deposited with the Superintendent, also that the gates for the entrance of foot passengers be unlocked until eight o'clock at night from Michaelmas to Lady Day, and ten o'clock from Lady Day to Michaelmas, at which times they be locked by the Superintendent, and the keys kept by him, and that the gates remain locked until seven o'clock in the morning in winter, and six o'clock in summer, subject to the Superintendent's discretion in permitting the gates to be opened before or after those hours on extraordinary occasions only. And that all persons inhabiting the almshouses be required to within the gates during the hours prescribed for their being locked, and that the Superintendent do report any persons not conforming to this regulation.

9th. That no person be absent from the almshouses at night without the permission in writing of the Superintendent, nor absent for any longer time than one week without the permission of the Master of the Company.

10th. That no person be allowed to reside with the pensioners without the permission of the Court.

11th. That should any of the Company's houses or fixtures be injured wilfully or by the negligence of the occupant, or of any persons who may be permitted to reside with them, such occupant shall be liable to dismissal from the alinshouses.

12th. That if any of the inhabitants shall profanely swear, or use any indecorous words, or be guilty of any rude actions, such person be reported to the Court by the Superintendent.

13th. That should the fact come to the knowledge of the Superintendent that any of the almsfolk are in debt with tradespeople at Twickenham or the neighbourhood, he be required forthwith to report the circumstance to the Court for their consideration whether such person should not be dismissed from any further enjoyment either of the house or pension.

14th. That all the inhabitants be required to keep the houses and other premises allotted them in neat and good order, and to keep the pavement clean before their houses.

15th. That no inhabitant shall take in washing or mangling, or carry on any business or occupation which may incommode his or her neighbours.

16th. That every inhabitant shall properly ventilate, scour, and keep his or her own rooms neat and clean, sweep the chimnies, and repair the windows at his or her own charge.

17th. That no person shall lay or cast ashes, dirt, dust, rubbish, or any offensive matter whatsoever in front or at the back of the almshouses, or any other place thereto attached, but carry the same to the dust place or sink appointed for that purpose.

18th. That no inmate shall drive nails into the walls, or fix shelves or cupboards against the same without leave of the Court, but should such be permitted, they shall not be removed without the approbation of the Court, and should the rooms or any part of the house be defaced or otherwise injured, the offending party shall be held responsible for the damage, and for repairing the same at the discretion of the Court of the said Company.

19th. That all applicants for admission to the almshouses shall present a petition to the said Court, with references to two or more respectable persons who can give information as to their character and circumstances.

20th. That all persons on being elected as almsfolk shall sign a declaration, agreeing to be bound by all such rules and regulations as shall from time to time be made by the Court for the good government and general management of the said almshouses.

21st. That all persons admitted be subject to expulsion by order of the Court for drunkenness, profaneness, misconduct, or breach of any of the rules and regulations required to be observed by the almsfolk or other inmates.

22nd. That the allowance to each pensioner be seven shillings per week during the pleasure of the Court, such allowance to cease if such pensioner shall be at any time absent without permission.

23rd. That each pensioner do receive one ton of coals yearly.

24th. That a copy of the rules and regulations be engrossed, framed, and suspended in the committee room, and that printed forms for candidates, containing the various particulars of eligibility, be always ready for applicants at the Clerk's office.

25th. That the qualifications of candidates shall be as follows, viz.:

1st. That they shall be without incumbrance, and, if males, shall have completed their 55th year, and, if females, their 50th year, and that they produce a certificate of their baptism, or such other evidence of their age as may be deemed satisfactory by the Court. 2nd. That widows must also produce certificates of their marriage and of the burial of their husbands. 3rd. That the wife of any person declared to be entitled to admission to the institution shall be admitted with her husband, without reference to her age, but in the event of her husband dying before the wife shall have attained the age of 50 years, she shall be disqualified and removed unless the Court shall direct otherwise. 4th. That no unmarried person possessing a clear annual income exceeding 201., nor any person being married possessing a clear annual income exceeding 301., shall be eligible to become a candidate for admission, and that any of the almsfolk becoming possessed of the said income shall become disqualified, and quit forthwith.

5th. That no person in the receipt of parochial relief shall be eligible as a candidate.

6th. That liverymen of the Company and their widows have the preference on every future vacancy.

THE Worshipful Company of Carpenters, having in the year 1618 been entrusted with the management of 10 almshouses at Godalming, in the county of Surrey, of which they were appointed Governors by the will of Richard Wyatt for the benefit of 10 poor persons, to be chosen from Godalming and four neighbouring parishes; and feeling the necessity of a similar institution for the benefit of decayed members of their own body, worthy of the character which they sustain among the public Companies of the City of London, laid out a sum in the year 1830, in the purchase of stock, to form an accumulating fund. In the month of October 1838 a benevolent lady presented the Company with the munificent donation of 5007., which was immediately invested and added to the above stock; and by means of further additions from the general funds of the Company, and the accumulation and investment of dividends, the stock amounted in the year 1841 to the sum of 2,1001. 3 per cent. Reduced Annuities.

The Company were thus furnished with a fund for the building of the almshouses; they then directed their attention to providing a fund for the purchase of suitable ground, and after many inquiries at length obtained an eligible site for the buildings, with additional land, which they expect will ultimately prove of advantage towards their endowment.

In the year 1838 the Eastern Counties' Railway Company, having occasion for a portion of the Carpenters' Company's Estate at Stratford, contracted with them for the purchase, for the sum of 1,0557. This sum, in July 1838, was paid by the Railway Company to the Accountant-General of the Court of Exchequer, and by an order of that Court was invested in the sum of 1,1107. 108. 5d. 3 per cent. Reduced Annuities. The sum paid by the Railway Company being available for the purchase of other land, the Carpenters' Company determined that it should be applied in the purchase of ground for the almshouses, and in December 1839 commenced a negotiation for a portion of an estate at Twickenham, attached to Pope's Villa, which after some unavoidable delay was purchased for the sum of 8461., the Carpenters' Company taking upon themselves the payment of a perpetual rent of 161. 28. 8d. chargeable upon the land with other property.

A

At the monthly meeting of the Court on the 1st of June 1841 the Master, William Fuller Pocock, Esq., who had most handsomely offered his gratuitous services as architect to the institution, was requested to prepare the working drawings and a specification for the erection of 10 almshouses; and at a special court, on the 24th of June, the drawings and specification were laid before the Court, and the Clerk of the Company was directed to write to 12 gentlemen of the livery, in the trade of builders, inviting them to put in tenders for the performance of the works. Of these gentlemen eight sent in tenders, that of Mr. Robert Hicks, of Lambeth, amounting to 2,2501. being accepted; and it was referred to the Master and Wardens to make arrangements for the laying of the first stone. circular letter was accordingly sent to all the members of the Court and Livery, inviting them to attend at the ceremony on Friday the 30th of July. On the day appointed, Mr. Pocock, the Master, Messrs. Staple, Ayscough, and Thomas Flight, jun., the three Wardens, and a large assemblage of the Court and Livery, proceeded by water to Twickenham; and about one o'clock in the afternoon the ceremony was commenced by the Rev. Charles Proby, the Vicar of Twickenham, who implored the Divine blessing on the institution which the Company were about to establish. The Master then laid the stone with the customary formalities, and the Rev. Mr. Proby again commended the institution to the care and protection of the Almighty. A dinner was provided at the Castle at Richmond, to which the Master, Wardens, and the gentlemen of the Court and Livery sat down. After the cloth was removed the usual toasts were given, and the Master then proposed "Success to the Carpenters' Almshouses in a judicious and appropriate speech, in which he solicited the aid of every gentleman present towards the establishment of an endowment fund for the support of the institution. Several other gentlemen addressed the company, and almost every individual present contributed towards the fund.

The 10 almshouses were completed, and fit for the reception of the inmates in the early part of June 1842,

and 10 almspeople were elected by the Court, and adm. to the institution upon the terms specified in certa rules and orders agreed upon by the Court for the government of the charity. These rules and orders occupy too much space for insertion here, but it appears important to mention that they state the object of the charity to be to receive decayed liverymen or freemen of the Company of the age of 55 years or upwards, or the widows of liverymen or freemen, of the age of 50 years or upwards, to be selected from time to time by the Court, and to be allowed each 78. per week, and one ton of coals annually. The rules provide that one of the almspeople shall act as superintendent, and have the general control over the others, and shall report to the Court any act of disobedience or infringement of the rules, and that the almspeople attend Divine service every Sunday morning, and also the reading of prayers in the committee room on certain days in every week.

The important consideration of the health of the inmates has been kept in view, and a regular medical attendant appointed.

The accompanying engraving exhibits a view of the 10 almshouses already erected, and also of the 10 houses in the wings, which it is intended to build when sufficient funds to defray the cost of their erection, and to provide for their endowment, shall be realised.

The Company are most anxious that the institution should be completed, in order that 10 more of the numerous applicants may be admitted; and they will not fail to persevere in their endeavours to raise an additional fund; but though they have little doubt that the state of their finances will enable them materially to contribute towards the object now in view, they beg to assure the Livery that the work cannot be accomplished without further aid; and they trust that the Livery will not hesitate to join them in their efforts to extend the benefits afforded by the Charity to other decayed members of the Company, who from misfortune or the infirmities of age may be desirous of finding an asylum in which to spend their remaining years. The Court thankfully acknowledge_the_liberal manner in which so many of the Livery have already come forward, and the aid which the Charity has received from several ladies whose names appear in the list of Contributors, and they feel confident that the success which has already attended their proceedings will be an encouragement to increased exertion in the cause of charity.