Several sums of money, amounting in the whole to £172, left at different periods, and by various donors, were held by the churchwardens in trust for the poor of the parish, previous to 1754; in that year the sum of £155 was laid out in the purchase of an estate in the parish of Hinstock, comprising between eight and nine acres, which now produces a yearly income of £20. The rents of the above two charities are received by the churchwardens, and the amount, with the produce of other charities, is given away on the Friday before the first of July, and on St. Thomas’s day, in wheat to the poor parishioners in quantities varying from two gallons to a bushel.
Richard Jervis, by will, 24th July, 1688, gave to the poor of Cheswardine parish £10, to be disposed of at the discretion of his executors. The yearly sum of 10s. has been paid in respect of this legacy. The last payment was made by Cresswell Pigott, Esq., as executor of Henry Z. Jervis, who was the personal representative of the donor. For two years previous to the Charity Commissioners publishing their report nothing had been received, in consequence of a suit in the Court of Chancery having been instituted respecting the estate of Mr. Jervis. An affidavit was sworn by one of the churchwardens in support of a claim to this legacy.
Francis Butler, by will, 1694, gave a rent charge of £2 10s. per annum for the benefit of the poor of Cheswardine parish. The property from which this gift is payable is situate in the township of Chipnall, and was part of the estate of the late Henry Zachariah Jervis, whose property became the subject of a suit in the Court of Chancery, as already mentioned.
In the parliamentary returns of 1786 it is stated that Sarah Sambrook left 2s. 2d. per month, to be given to the poor in bread. A distribution of bread takes place on the first Sunday in every month, in respect of this charity, and the amount, £1. 6s. per annum, is paid by the owner of Sowdley Park farm, upon which the payment appears to be charged.
In the parish books in which the distribution of charities is entered from 1721 to 1767, there is a memorandum stating that John Butter gave to the poor of this parish three dozen of bread on Good Friday, in respect of the legacy left by John Bold, of Great Sawdley. The last entry to this effect is in 1760, and we have not met with any proof of bread having been distributed on Good Friday since that time.
William Goodall, who died in 1808, left £10 to the poor of the parish, and John Goodall, who died in 1826, left the like sum for the same purpose; 20s., the interest of these legacies, are expended in bread and given amongst the most deserving poor.
There is an estate in Sowdley, the rents of which have been applied from time immemorial in aid of the church rate. The estate consists of two closes called Denway Croft and Ames Field, and two other closes containing altogether about eight acres and a half, which is let at a yearly rental of £14. 14s. There are also two cottages, with gardens, let by the overseers for the use of poor persons, at the yearly rental of £3. The rents are applied in aid of the church rates, and in paying the interest of £150 borrowed towards the erection of the new church.
Post Office.—At Mr. Henry Bates.
Arkinstall William, tailor
Bate Edwin, butcher