to pay to the mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses of Leicester 300%., in trust and upon condition that they should, within five years after his decease, purchase freehold lands to the value of 157. per annum, or thereabouts, which sum should be yearly distributed to and amongst the poor inhabitants of Mount Sorrel, and he gave the said mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses for their care and pains therein 10l. to buy a piece of plate for the use of the corporation.

By indenture dated 29th July 20th James I., between Thomas Sacheverell, clerk, and five others, of the one part, and the mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses of the borough of Leicester, of the other part, reciting the Will of Richard Nedd as above abstracted, and that the said Thomas Sacheverell and others, in consideration of the sum of 3007. by them paid unto Francis Walton and another, at the instance and request of John Allen and others, inhabitants of Mount Sorrell, and with the consent of the said mayor, &c., had bought and purchased to them and their heirs, from the said Francis Walton and another, a cottage and croft or close thereto adjoining, and two-yard land called Dawkins, two-yard land in Bushby in the said county of Leicester, of the clear yearly value of 157., with intent to assure the same to the said mayor, &c., to the uses aforesaid, according to the intent of the said Will,-it is witnessed that the said Thomas Sacheverell and others, in consideration of the sum of 3007. paid to them by the said mayor, &c., for the performance of the said trust expressed in the said Will, conveyed to the said mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses, and their successors (license under the great seal dated at Westminster 26th June preceding, having been obtained for that purpose), all that the said cottage and tenement, and also the croft or close containing two acres more or less, also the two-yard land of arable land called Dawkins, to hold the same in trust for such of the poor people as should inhabit and dwell in the said town of Mount Sorrell, according to the last Will of the said Richard Nedd.

By a decree of Commissioners of Charitable Uses, it was ordered that the churchwardens of the north end of Mount Sorrel, and the churchwardens of the south end of Mount Sorrel, and their successors, should receive Mr. Nedd's gift jointly, and that the said charity should be distributed weekly, every Sunday, at the chapel in Mount Sorrel immediately after Divine service in the afternoon, at the discretion of the said churchwardens, or such of them who should be present, and two or three of the ancient and substantial persons in Mount Sorrel. And it was further ordered that the churchwardens of the north end of Mount Sorrel should keep the book how the said charity was disposed of, and that the said books should be inspected every half year by the minister of Barrow-upon-Soar, the minister of Rothley, and the curate of Mount Sorrel, and their successors, and that the aforesaid mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses should not let or dispose of any of the said charity lands until the churchwardens of the north end and south end of Mount Sorrel, and two or three of the chiefest of the ancient and substantial inhabitants of the said town of Mount Sorrel should be first acquainted therewith and should give their consent.

The property consists of a small homestead, and of five closes of arable and pasture, containing about 54 acres, in the parish of Bushby, called the Mount Sorrel land, let to John Clayton Richardson on lease from year to year, at the full rent of 701. The amount is paid over to the parish officers by the steward of the corporation or guardian of the poor of Mount Sorrel.

About 60%. worth of timber was cut nine years ago, and the amount expended in draining, planting, and other improvements. Upwards of 100l. was expended, and the remainder was deducted by instalments out of the accruing rents.

An account of the distribution will be found in the parish of Mount Sorrel.

King Charles the First gave to the poor of Leicester 40 acres of land in the late disafforested forest or chace of Leicester, which is set in lease for 16. per annum, which said sum is yearly to be distributed to three score poor housekeepers in the said corporation about Midsummer, to every of them 5s. 4d., to buy a load of wood." (Old Charity-book.)

In the chamberlain's accounts for the year 1627-8, charges are entered for the expenses of journey to London about the forest land, and also "paid, for dyking the 40 acres in the forest, with stuff for the gates, 67. 1s. 8d."

We are informed that there is no copy of this grant among the records of the corporation. The first receipt for rent of this land is in 1628-9," for two years 8., which was distributed to 30 poor people, 5s. 4d. a-piece, to buy them fuel.”

This land is now held by William Kenworthy Walker, esq., under the foilowing lease. Mr. Walker is the owner of some adjoining land, a part of which he purchased from the corporation about six years ago.

By indenture dated 22d December 1835, the mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses demised to William Kenworthy Walker, esq., all that ground inclosed then divided into four closes, in the late disafforested forest or chace of Leicester, containing by estimation 40 acres, commonly called the Forty Acre Close (except all timber and other trees, with liberty to enter, cut, and carry away the same), to hold from the 25th March preceding for 15 years, at the yearly rent of 527., payable half-yearly at Lady-day and Michaelmas, and also paying the further rent of 207. an acre for any part of the old pasture or meadow land which should be ploughed or broken up without consent of lessors in writing, lessee to pay all taxes whatever except chief,

Leicester.

Nedd's Charity, continued.

Wood and Coal
Money.

Leicester.

Wood and Coal Money, continued.

quit, or fee-farm rent, if any, with power to the lessee to determine the term by six months' notice in writing previous to the expiration of seventh or tenth year.

Morton's Charity-William Morton, by Will, dated 17th August 1620, gave to the mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses a yearly rent of 37., to be paid by his grandson, Tobias Morton, out of a close of pasture called the Tippetts, before the last day of April next after his decease, for the uses thereinafter expressed, viz., to the six widows or women dwelling in St. Joanes 18s. yearly to buy three loads of coal, and the other 42s. to be given to seven poor housekeepers, freemen, 6s. a-piece, to buy a load of coal at or before the 10th of May next ensuing his decease, and so yearly for ever at the appointment of his two sons Roland Pusey and William Billers during their lives, and after their decease, at the nomination of the mayor and two of the ancientest of his brethren.

The Tippetts now consist of two or three closes containing about 20 acres, situate in the hamlet of Bronkingsthorpe, in the parish of St. Mary, Leicester, and are the property of John Clarke, esq., of Little Peatling, by whom the sum of 31. is paid annually at Michaelmas to the steward of the corporation.

Ossiter's Charity.-Elizabeth Ossiter, of the parish of St. Margaret, by Will, dated 18th July 1634, gave to the mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses 100l., on trust that they should yearly on the 8th June distribute 67. to 20 poor housekeepers inhabiting within the borough, 6s. each, to buy a load of coals; and by her said Will she directed that three of the said loads should be given to three poor housekeepers inhabiting without the Northgate, two loads to two poor housekeepers in Northgate-street, and one load to one poor housekeeper inhabiting in Sanvey Gate.

The corporation have regularly paid 67. per annum in respect of this charity out of their general funds.

Earl of Devonshire's Charity." William Earl of Devonshire gave 100l. to the corporation of Leicester, upon condition that the mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses should yearly on St. James'sday pay 67. to 20 poor housekeepers, freemen of the borough, to every one 6s., to buy a load of coals, 10 of the same to be nominated by the heirs of the donor or their lawful deputies, and the other 10 by the mayor and aldermen of the several wards." (Old Charity-book.)

A note is added that the last person who nominated for the heirs of the donor was Mr. Carter, who was living in 1735, and since his death the mayor for the time being has distributed that part of the charity.

The following entry appears in the hall book of the corporation relating to this donation. " November 1, 1615. Whereas the Lord Cavendish hath given to the corporation of Leicester 100%. in consideration that the town pay yearly 67. to such charitable uses as shall be set down at the discretion of the mayor and his brethren, it is agreed that a yard land of Wightman's or Archer's land shall be assured to his honour for sure payment of the same. Hereupon 20 poor freemen were nominated to receive 6s. a-piece to buy them coals."

It appears from the chamberlain's accounts that parts of the South fields were purchased from vendors of the names of Wightman and Archer, but it does not appear that any charge was made by deed by the corporation on the land alluded to for the payment of this charity; the sum of 6l. has been regularly paid in respect thereof from their general income, and distributed.

Charities of Bennett and Ward.-Mr. Bennett of London gave to this corporation 107. to be employed for the use of the poor.

In the chamberlain's accounts for the years 1628-9, is entered, " Paid Mr. Bennett's man when he brought the 107. given by his master to the poor of this town 5s.; and in 1630-1, received Mr. Bennett's money to set the poor on work, 107."

In chamberlain's account for the year 1635-6, is entered, "Received of Mrs. Ward, which was the gift of her son John Ward, 10. ;" and in the old charity book it is stated that " John Ward of Coventry gave to this corporation the sum of 10l. to be employed for the good and benefit of the corporation, so that it was ordered by the consent of Mr. mayor and the aldermen, in the time of the mayoralty of William Stanley (1648), that the corporation should pay annually out of their rents, in lieu of the said 207., 20s. to be distributed to the poor of the several parishes until the mayor and aldermen should settle some other employment for the said 201."

29th September 1701, "at a common hall ordered that Mr. Bennett's and Mr. Ward's gift be paid according to the donor's gift."

The amount of the six foregoing charities is as follows, viz.—

The several sums, with 10%. taken from Hayne's Charity (the particulars of which will be given hereafter), amounting together to 781., are given away about Christmas yearly by the mayor and aldermen, according to a very ancient practice by the name of "wood and coal money."

A paper is made out assigning to the mayor and each of the 11 aldermen the sum to be disposed of by them individually within their respective wards, varying in amount according

to the population. It is stated in the paper that 47 sums of 6s. each are to be given to 20 housekeepers, being freemen, as the gift of the Earl of Devonshire, and to 27 other housekeepers as the gift of Elizabeth Ossiter and Morton, and the sum of 4s. each is given to 78 other housekeepers, probably in respect of Hayne's and Bennett and Ward's Charities. These sums are distributed by the different aldermen in the proportions specified in the paper.

There is also the sum of 467. 15s. divided between the mayor and aldermen, arising probably from the rent of the forest land, in sums varying from 17. 10s. to 5l. 15s. according to the size of the wards, to be disposed of at their discretion, and 18s., a part of Morton's Charity, is given to the six widows in St. John's Hospital to buy coals as directed.

There is also entered in the same paper a gift of 8s. to the same widows, and 5s. " to the poor in the bishop's fee," which two last payments were probably given in lieu of six pair of shoes directed to be given to them by the Will of Thomas Blunt every third year, and of two other pair to be given also every third year to two poor men of the bishop's fee.

The same form of distribution has been drawn out and used for upwards of 50 years, varying only with the amount of the rent of the forest land. Each alderman disposes of his share within his ward as he thinks right, but it appears generally to have been given away in very small sums of 1s. or 2s. to each person.

The mayor's distribution was not confined to any ward, but was frequently given to the poor in the new built parts of the town which were not within any of the wards.

NORRICE'S CHARITY.

Leicester.

Wood and Coal.
Money,

continued.

By indenture dated 12th April 1619, between John Norrice the elder, alderman of Leicester, Norrice's Charity. brewer, of the one part, and Nicholas Gilliott, mayor, William Moreton, and 15 others, aldermen, and John Tatam, one of the chamberlains, and Roger Cotes and two others, of Leicester, of the other part, the said John Norrice, at the special instance and request of Elizabeth his wife, as also of his own charitable devotion towards the relief of the poor of the said borough, and for the furtherance of the preaching of the Word there, granted to the said Nicholas Gilliott and others, their heirs and assigns, an annuity or yearly rent of 107. issuing out of a messuage or tenement, farm-house, close, and two yard lands, and a half-yard land of arable, pasture, and meadow, in Willoughby Waterless, in the county of Leicester, to hold to them and their heirs, payable at the guildhall in Leicester at Lady-day and Michaelmas, the first payment to be made at Lady-day 1624, with a power of distress and entry, upon trust, to dispose of the same as after mentioned; viz., 5l. a-year to the use of Francis Higginson, clerk, vicar, or curate, of the parish of St. Nicholas, so long as he should continue to preach there, or at any other parish church within the borough, before two o'clock in the afternoon on every Sabbath day, or every other Sabbath day at the least; and after his decease or departing the said borough, or leaving off preaching, to dispose of the same to the use of his successors, vicars or curates of the said church of St. Nicholas, so that they should be of honest life, and be such as the said John Norrice, during his life, should approve, and after his death such as the grantees, or their heirs or assigns, or the major part of them, should approve, and should keep the exercise of preaching at the same church or churches so long only as they should be of honest and religious life, and keep the said exercise, and be approved of; and if the successors of the said Francis Higginson should not be of honest life or not approved of as aforesaid, or should not keep the said exercise of preaching, that then the said 57. should be yearly paid to such other preacher within the borough of Leicester as should be of honest life and be approved of as aforesaid, and should keep the said exercise, &c., as aforesaid; and if the said Francis Higginson, or any of his successors who should have the said 51. a-year, should die or depart out of the said town of Leicester, or leave off the said exercise, and there should be no honest godly preacher found within the said borough who would keep the said exercise as before limited, to be approved of as aforesaid, then the grantees were to distribute the said 57. yearly amongst 15 poor folk of the said borough of honest and religious lives, such as should be yearly approved of by the said grantees and their assigns, or the major part of them, until such time as there should be such an honest religious preacher found within the said borough who should keep the said exercise of preaching and be approved of as aforesaid, and then the same to be paid to such preacher, and in default of such preacher, then the same to be given to 15 poor persons as aforesaid. And upon further trust to distribute the other 5l. a- -year in manner following, viz., five nobles a-year to the almsfolk in the old hospital of the Holy Trinity, founded by King James, to be equally divided amongst them, to be paid yearly on Friday next after the first day of May, and if the said hospital should not be full, the shares of those so wanting to be equally divided amongst the keepers; and the residue of the said 57., being five marks, to be yearly distributed equally amongst 10 poor people of the most honest and godly to be found in the borough of Leicester, to be nominated by the said grantees and their heirs and assigns; and the said yearly rent of 51. was directed to be paid to the said Francis Higginson and his successors, or such other preacher and poor folk as aforesaid, on the feasts of St. Philip and St. Jacob, and All Saints, and the other yearly rent of 51. to be paid to the said grantees for the almsfolk and 10 poor people at the same times; and it was provided that when the grantees in trust, or their grantees, should be all dead except five or four, that they should make a new grant of the said yearly rent to 16 new grantees, at the least 10, to be aldermen of the borough and of the Company of the Four and Twenty, and the residue freemen, and of the Company of the Eight and Forty, in trust to be disposed of as aforesaid. This annuity in the old book of charities is stated to be paid by the Earl of Stamford out of certain land which he purchased of the said Mr. John Norrice in Willoughby, which said annuity is to be distributed in manner following, viz., 33s. 4d. to the poor of the hospital of the Holy Trinity upon Friday next after May-day, and the rest to the poor of the corporation upon May-day and All Saints'-day, by equal portions.

Rep. 32-Part V.

E

Leicester.

In 1637 the lordship of Willoughby was inclosed by Lord Stamford the lord of the manor. In the chamberlain's accounts from 1639-40 to 1657-8, the Earl of Stamford paid 107. per Norrice's Charity, annum regularly" out of lands in Willoughby Waterlash, late Mr. Norrice's."

continued

In the accounts for the latter year, Edmund Cradock being mayor, the following entry occurs for the first time under the head of " Receipts for the year for pious and charitable uses." " Item-received of Matthew Willey for one year's rent due at Michas. 1658, for certain closes in Willoughby Waterlesse, wch upon the inclosure there, were set out for this corporation in lieu of an annuity of xli. formerly granted unto them for charitable uses by Mr. John Norrice, and since conveyed unto them by the Right Honble ye Earl of Stamford and others, 111. 6s. 6d."

In the following years a similar entry occurs, the rent being from 1658-9 to 1672-3, 137. 6s. 8d., and paid by two tenants. In the latter year the rent appears to have been reduced to 10%., which sum only is entered in the payments as given away for the whole of this period.

The conveyance mentioned in the preceding entry from the Earl of Stamford to the corporation, was not to be found with the other deeds relating to this charity; but there can be no doubt that the deed of the 9th December 1657, made in the same year as the entry, and recited in the following indenture of 1685, being an appointment of new trustees, is that to which the entry relates, although by the declaration of trust of even date with the latter deed, and the subsequent deed of 1715, it is stated that the property was conveyed to the use of the mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses, who should be permitted to receive and apply the rent of the lands to their own use.

By indentures of lease and release, dated 23d and 24th July 1685, between Francis Noble, gent., alderman of Leicester, and Nicholas Sherwin, gent., of the same place, of the first part, the mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses of Leicester of the second part, and Thomas Ludlam, esq., mayor of Leicester, William Southwell, and 10 others (of whom John Goodall was one), being 12 of the aldermen of the said borough, Thomas Drake and John Abney, bailiffs of the said borough, and William Springthorpe and three others, making together six of the common council of the said borough, of the third part; reciting that by an indenture of bargain and sale, dated 9th December 1657, made between Henry Earl of Stamford, Sir Martyn Lyster, knight (Shropshire), Richard Knightley of Preston (Northamptonshire), and Samuel Boardman of Bullwell (Nottinghamshire), of the one part, and Edmund Cradock, mayor of Leicester, and eight others (of whom Francis Noble was one), aldermen of the borough, and Nicholas Sherwin and three others, of the other part, the said Sir Martyn Lyster and two others, by the direction and appointment of the said Earl, granted, bargained, and sold to the said Edmund Cradock and others, their heirs and assigns, two fields or closes of land in Willoughby Waterleas, otherwise Willoughby Waterlesse, theretofore in the occupation of William Southwell, and then of Matthew Willey, containing by estimation 20 acres, to hold the same unto and to the use of themselves, their heirs and assigns; and reciting that since the making of the said indenture all the parties thereto of the second part were dead except the said Francis Noble and Nicholas Sherwin,-It is witnessed that the said Francise Noble and Nicholas Sherwin, by the direction of the said mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses, and for the full discharge of the trust reposed in them by the said mayor, &c., conveyed unto the said Thomas Ludlam and others, parties of the third part, their heirs and assigns, the said two fields granted' by the said recited indenture to Edmund Cradock and others, to hold the same unto and to the use of themselves their heirs and assigns.

By indenture of even date with the last abstracted, the said Thomas Ludlam and others, of the first part, the said Francis Noble and Nicholas Sherwin, of the second part, and the said mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses, of the third part, reciting the above abstracted indenture of even date,—it is witnessed, declared, and agreed between the parties, that the estate granted and conveyed to the said Thomas Ludlam and others by the said indenture, was in trust for the said mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses, and that the said Thomas Ludlam and others, and the survivors of them, would, upon request and at the costs of the said mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses, convey the said two fields as the said mayor, &c., should direct, and in the mean time that the said mayor, &c., should be permitted to receive the rents of the said two closes, and apply the same to their own use.

By indentures of lease and release, of 1st and 2d March 1715, between John Goodall, formerly alderman of the said borough, of the first part, the mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses, of the second part, and Francis Lewin, mayor, and 11 others, being 12 of the aldermen of the said borough, and the two chamberlains and four others, being six of the common council, of the third part, reciting the indentures of lease and release, of the 23d and 24th July 1685, and reciting that all the grantees were dead except the said John Goodall,—it is witnessed that the said John Goodall, by the direction of the said mayor, bailiffs, and burgessess, conveyed the same premises unto the said Francis Lewin and others, unto and to the use of themselves, their heirs and assigns, in trust for the use and benefit of the said mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses, and their successors.

The declaration of trust in these last deeds is at variance with the entry of 1657-8; and it appears to us that the whole of the property belongs to the charity, having been conveyed to trustees of the same class and description as in the original deed of 1619 by the Earl of Stamford, who was lord of the manor of Willoughby Waterless after the inclosure of the common fields there, in lieu of the rent-charge affecting certain of his uninclosed lands which he had purchased of John Norrice.

This conclusion is not shaken by a note in the charity book, which was transcribed in 1779, and which states that the land was then the property of the corporation, chargeable with the said annuity, and was then let on lease for 147. a-year. The note adds, that notwithstanding

the said lands had for 19 years back been let for upwards of 107. a-year; that no more than 81. (which was the amount of rent paid previous to Michaelmas 1759) was disposed of agreeably to the intentions of the donor, so that there was an arrear of the sum of 381. due from the corporation to the charity, reckoning up to. Michaelmas 1778,

We have already stated that the sum of 107, was for many years received from Lord Stamford, and disposed of in charity by the corporation. When land was given in exchange for the rent-charge, the rent for some years was 137. 6s. 8d., afterwards reduced to 10., and in 1745-6 we find only 81. entered for a year's rent, which is consistent with the preceding entry. From the year 1778 the sum of 10%..has, been disposed of yearly, which has been divided in the following manner :

St. Martin's parish

St. Margaret's.
St. Mary's.

All Saints'

St. Nicholas'

St. Leonard's

Trinity Hospital

St. John's Hospital

£. s. d.

We do not find that at any time any payment was made to a preacher of any of the churches in Leicester, and the entry in the old charity book shows that whilst the Earl of Stamford paid the rent-charge of 10l., which was before 1657, an appropriation was made of the amount to the poor of the several parishes, omitting all notice of a preacher.

The property of Willoughby Waterless, conveyed by the deed of 1657, consists of about 16 acres of land, let to Mr. Gabriel Sutton of Dunton, as tenant from year to year, at a fair rent of 20%., to which it was reduced from 247. about six years ago. In 1775 the rent appears to have been 167. There is no timber on the land.

This rent is carried to the general account of the corporation estates, out of which the chamberlains have paid a sum of 10l. per annum, which has been distributed to the six several parishes, and to Trinity Hospital, and St. John's Hospital, in the proportions above stated.

As it appears to us that the whole of this property is affected by the charitable use being conveyed in lieu of the rent-charge, we have certified this case to His Majesty's Attorneygeneral, in order that the corporation may account for the arrears received, to be disposed of together with the increased income according to the directions of a Court of Equity.

COUNTESS OF DEVONSHIRE'S CHARITY.

By indenture, dated 18th April 1623, William Ive, alderman of Leicester, in consideration Countess ofDevonof 50l. paid to him, granted to Thomas Sacheverell, Nicholas Gilliott, and Roger Cotes, their shire's Charity. heirs and assigns, two closes of pasture, then used as one, in the late parishes of St. Michael's and St. Peter's, then annexed to the parish of All Saints, abutting upon the freehold of the hospital of William Wigston, on the west part, and upon the king's highway called Porchernere, on the east part; a lane called Geale Lane, otherwise Shire Hall Lane, on the south; and St. Michael's Lane, on the north; to hold the same to the said Thomas Sacheverell, and others, and their heirs, for ever.

By indenture of feoffment, dated 17th June 1623, between the said Thomas Sacheverell, clerk, Nicholas Gilliott, and Roger Cotes, of the one part, and the mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses of Leicester of the other part, reciting that Elizabeth Countess of Devon, for the perpetual relief of the poor inhabiting within the borough of Leicester, with the consent of William Earl of Devon, had been pleased to give 50l. to the mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses, upon trust, to purchase lands of the yearly value of 31., to be distributed to the poor of the said borough yearly, viz., 20s. to the poor inhabiting within the said parish of St. Leonard, in or near the said borough, yearly, on Thursday before Easter-day, at the pleasure of the said Countess during her life, and afterwards at the direction of such person as should inhabit and be owner of the house of the said Earl called the Abbey, near Leicester, and in the absence of such person to be distributed by the minister and churchwardens of the said parish, according to their discretion, to the poor of the said parish; and the other 40s., residue of the said 37., to be yearly distributed on the same day to the poor of the said parishes in Leicester, at the discretion of the mayor and justices of the said borough, and of the preacher, commonly called the town preacher there. It is witnessed, that the said Thomas Sacheverell, and others, for the better performance and accomplishment of the intent of the said Countess, and for other good causes and considerations, granted and enfeoffed to the said mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses, two closes of pasture, then laid together and used as one, lying in the late parishes of St. Michael and St. Peter's, in Leicester, and then annexed to the parish of All Saints, in the said borough, which premises the said Thomas Sacheverell, Nicholas Gilliott, and Roger Cotes, lately purchased to them and their heirs from William Ive, alderman, who purchased the same from Robert Roberts, to hold the same to the use of the said mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses, for ever.

The charity-book states that Elizabeth, Countess dowager of Devonshire, gave 50l. to the corporation of Leicester, upon condition that they should yearly, on the Thursday before Easter, give the sum of 37. to the poor of the corporation, and of the parish of St. Leonard, in manner following, viz., to the poor of the corporation 27., and of St. Leonard 11. A note adds that it was thus divided: