[1177] Old Lynn is said to contain 345 souls, and Gaywood about 500.
[1184] Here it may be expected that some notice should be taken, and some use made of Mr. Zachary Clark’s lately published Account of the Norfolk Charities, which makes some mention of those of this town and suburbs. That account indeed, as it relates to this place, is very incomplete; but we shall here insert such of the articles as are not included in the preceding statement.—He mentions a house given by deed, by William Cleave, in 1616, and vested in the Minister and Church-wardens of St. Margaret’s; the rent, 4l. 4s. per annum, to be distributed by them among the poor of that parish:—also that in 1689, the mayor and burgesses granted a duty of 4d. per chalder on all coals imported here, by owners of ships, or part of ships, not paying to the poor’s rates, towards the maintenance of the poor in St. James’s Workhouse, and which is vested in the governor and guardians thereof. The average amount of the last three years was 214l. 8s. 3d.—Also 6l. payable annually out of Grey Friars, given by the mayor and burgesses in 1705, towards the support of the aforesaid workhouse.—Likewise for the same purpose, the annual sum of 10l. being a gift, during pleasure, of the High Steward of the town, and commencing in 1724.—Also that John Kidd esq. in 1715, bequeathed 36l. vested in the mayor and burgesses, the interest 36s. to provide 6s. worth of bread, in two-penny loaves, to 36 poor people, the six Sundays in Lent. The principal vested in the mayor and burgesses.—Also 100l. vested as the last, a legacy by Peter Ward in 1720; 50s. of the interest to be given in bread to the poor, viz. 25 two-penny loaves the first Sunday in every Calendar month; and 50s. for teaching two poor boys writing and arithmetic.—Also a legacy of 150l. vested in the mayor and burgesses, left by Sarah Dexter, in 1753, the interest to be paid to the poor men in Framingham Hospital, (Broad Street Almshouse) and to the poor women in St. James’s Hospital, (the Bedehouse.)—Also a legacy of 36l. vested as before, and left by James Stapleton, in 1778, the interest to be distributed to the poor by the Chapel wardens.—Also of the South Lynn Almshouses he says, that the founder left 20l. to be secured on a freehold, and the income therefrom to be applied, one half for the repairing of the said almshouses, and the other half to provide coals for the inhabitants of them. This legacy was put out to interest till 1641, by which time it had accumulated to 55l. 5s. This latter sum purchased 5 acres of land, in Wiggenhall St. Germans, the rent whereof, nearly 4l. 10s. per annum, is applied as above directed.—As to West Lynn, (or Old Lynn,) he mentions there 4 acres of land at Islington, vested in the minister and parish officers, for the benefit of the poor; left for that purpose by John Swaine, in 1678. The rent is supposed to be regularly distributed according to the will.—He also mentions a legacy of 5l. 5s. for the use of the poor there, left by the late Henry Whall, Deacon.—Also in Gaywood, (which may be deemed another suburb of Lynn,) he mentions the following charities—Tho. Thurston D.D. in 1714, by his will, left 40s. yearly for ever, toward cloathing three of the poorest inhabitants; which money is payable by the mayor of Lynn.—Also 2 roods of land there, annually let to the highest bidder, and the rent applied for the benefit of the poor.—Also a house in Lynn, the rent of which (8l.) is received by the officers of Gaywood, and applied as above: but when, or by whom these donations were made he gives no account.—So much for the Lynn Charities; of which this is the best account we have been able to procure. As to such as belong to the respective almshouses, that are not here particularized, the reader is referred for information respecting them to the account that has been already given of those houses.
[1190] She was possessed of many virtues, and was universally respected: to her we owe the introduction of side-saddles: our women before used always to ride astride like the men.
[1191] However this affair was finally settled between the bishop and mayor, these articles seem clearly to shew that a sword then really formed a part of the Lynn regalia, which has been by some thought very doubtful.
[1200] The author begs leave to acknowledge a mistake of his at page [763], in placing Cromwell’s visit to Lynn before the siege, whereas it was in fact about half a year after that event. This correction invalidates several of the remarks and conclusions in that section.
[1215] See vol. I. page 572, &c.
[1216] The errata has been applied in this transcription.—DP.