1. Schools kept as recommended by the yearly meeting since last year.
2. Scholars’ learning has been inspected.
3. Schools have been visited.
4. Children of the poor and of others have been schooled.
5. Stock remains at £14/00/00 as last year.
Signed Truman Morris, John Hunt and Isaac Oakford.
Support of schools by legacies
As has been previously suggested the financial assistance to Darby schools came in a very considerable measure from legacies, left from time to time, but it was also necessary to use subscription and rate plans for school support. The text of one of these bequests, as recorded in the Darby records, is given below.
Likewise I give and bequeath to my friend John Griffith, Thomas Pearson, and Samuel Bunting, all of Darby aforesaid, the sum of £50, nevertheless my aforesaid gift and bequest to them is only in trust, that they the said John Griffith, Thomas Pearson and Samuel Bunting shall reconvey and receive from the hands of my executors aforesaid the sum of £50 and when so received, put out the said monies to interest on good securities with the approbation of the monthly meeting of the people called Quakers in Darby aforesaid, and at the risk of those benefitted thereby and so from time to time forever, with the approbation of the said meeting for the time being. To the intent and purpose that by and out of the interests and profits thereof, they the said John Griffiths ... pay for the learning to read and write of such and so many poor Friends children in unity and church fellowship with the said people and belonging to the said meeting, as the said meeting shall order and appoint from time to time forever, and when any of my said trustees shall die, it is my will and mind that the said meeting shall appoint another to succeed and so from time to time forever.[720]