In whom now vested?
All in the churchwardens.
The clear annual produce of that given in land, after deducting the rents issuing thereout?
| £ | s. | d. | |
| 1 | 21 | „ | „ |
| 2 | 4 | 10 | „ |
| 3 | 70 | „ | „ |
Almost all is “unknown” and “uncertain,” in this Return, and this is the more to be lamented, as it was about the time at which this report was made that the value of land in Paddington began to be known by those who intended to secure the sanction of the legislature to a measure which would enhance its value.
Since that time, the “Report of the Commissioners for enquiring concerning Charities,” (1826), has been published, and some little light has been thrown on this subject.
This report contains, in fact, almost all that I have been able to discover relative to the Charity Lands; and I cannot do better than reprint it in this place; adding what little information I have been able to obtain.
“The parish officers of Paddington were unable to produce any deeds or other original documents relative to the charitable funds of this parish; but they laid before us the minutes of vestry, in which under date the twelfth of April, 1803, is an entry stating that the vestry clerk produced an account of the estates, &c. belonging to the parish, written on vellum; and also several extracts from wills and other documents relative to the titles of the said estates, which were compared and examined with the said account by the vestry; and it appearing that such account was correct, it was resolved that the same be hung up in the vestry-room, and that a copy thereof be entered upon and taken as part of the minutes of the vestry; and which was so entered accordingly.”
The account referred to, was made out by the late vestry clerks, Messrs. Robertson and Parton, both of whom are since dead.
From the account so entered on the vestry minutes the following statement of the charities is chiefly taken: