Two acres, the property of Richard Huddlestone, Esq., the lord of the several manors in the parish, are annually sowed with white peas, as directed by the will, which are gathered green on a day fixed by the occupier of the land, by all the poor indiscriminately, when a complete scene of scramble and confusion ensues, attended with occasional conflicts.
Milk Tribute
Edmund Porter of Alresford, Middlesex, by will, dated 27th of May, 1558, directed that John Porter should have a house called Knapps, with the appurtenances, church fences, and caprons (which comprised thirty-one acres of land), to him and his heirs, upon condition that they should give forever the morning milk of two able milk beasts to the poor people of this parish, every Sunday yearly, from Whitsunday to Michaelmas, 3s. 4d. on Good Friday, and a like sum on Christmas Day.
This milk tribute has subsequently been commuted for a money payment, which is distributed in bread amongst the poor.
4
BURIAL
“He will awake no more; no, never more.”
A Primitive Belief
There seems to have been a wide-spread primitive belief that the spirit of the departed could not rest in peace unless the obsequies were duly performed. Thus the ghost of Patroclus appeared to Achilles to request that his body might be buried in order that he might pass the gates of Hades. This belief was apparently fostered by the doctrine of the resurrection of the body.
Veteran’s Request
Robert Riedel, of Detroit, Michigan, died in June, 1910. He had fought through the Franco-Prussian War. By the terms of his will, he left to Detroit survivors of his old company, fifteen dollars with which to buy beer after they had marched to his funeral. It is said the purchase was made and duly drunk.