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I have been reading 'A collection of armorial bearings, inscriptions &c. in the parochial chapel' ... By Moses Aaron Richardson (Google books) 1818
( A few of my ancesters, it seems, subscribed to the book)
Many of the entries have similar bequests as the one below
George Mallabar Esqr. of Newcastle upon Tyne, died the 20"? of August 1734, by his Will, devised, two Hundred pounds to the Poor of the four Parishes in this Town, Fifty pounds of which Sum, to this Parish of S' Andrews, the Interest thereof to be distributed on Christmas day yearly for ever."
My query is this....How long is forever? and are these bequests to the poor still being paid?
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I would have thought that the interest on this money would be what was given.
How much that would equate to today is anyones guess.
I know that the bequest made by Andrew Carnegy was to provide a party for the school children of Dunfermline and area one day every year.
It was a lovely day. The parade through the high street to THE GLEN, where a bozed picnic was provided. The highlight of many childrens year.
The money was soon spent, mainly, I believe, on an annual party for the dignitaries on the Council.
I don't think it lasted long after 1955 when the parade saw Dunfermilne High School walking for the last time. I was in that parade with my new 'posh frock' an all the other scools in the district.
Does anyone else remember this, or know if the tradition still stands?
Deanna X
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The oldest bequest I know of is from May 1643:
“In recognition of his miraculous cheating of death he left two bequests to the town: £100 to yield interest to pay for an annual sermon to be preached, with the town’s corporation in attendance; and £100 to provide interest to purchase penny loaves for the poor.”
This bequest continues to the present day, with the sermon being preached, but the distribution of penny loaves had to be discontinued, due to excessive numbers of people arriving for the loaves. The distribution of bread is now in the form of a bread roll to the choirboys. £100 x 2 must have been a huge sum in 1643!
There are many bequests in my area from long ago, to more recent times. One bequest in my home village was for distribution of income from the capital being distributed to the elderly of the village at Christmas. (I remember my parents being given £2 on Christmas Eve for a number of years. This charity now helps people with aids in their homes or an hour or two of gardening for the disabled.)
Many Alms houses are from bequests of local wealthy people, and are usually overseen by a solicitor and group of trustees.
Even in modern times these bequests are left. A relative of mine, in sad circumstances, ended up a very wealthy man and wanted to do some good for the young people of the town. He left a very large sum in trust, with the interest being distributed to assist young people in further education, for the purchase of course books, laptops, etc.
Elisabeth
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I have just remembered another bequest, which I think was left in 1980/90s.
The lady was one of those tall, ramrod straight, terrifying spinster school teachers, who was nearing retirement when I progressed to secondary school. She taught us ‘Hygiene’, though the only lesson I remember, at aged 11, involved weird diagrams and the recommendation of cold showers for any of the opposite gender we may come across. I think she also taught us hockey and netball.
She left a large bequest to help the disabled and elderly poor remain in their homes if they so wished. I have just checked and the grants are between £50 and £1,500, at the present time.
T’internet is wonderful at reviving memories long forgotten.
Elisabeth
Sorry Susan10146857, I have hijacked your thread!
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Thank you for your most interesting answers. :-)
I have been checking the area in which I live. One bequest was a building for the poor of the village to live; similar to alms houses. In fact the village dignitaries bequeathed quite a few buildings to the poor. I wish someone could remind our council of this when they sell them off
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Winchester had a recent bequeath:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bapsybanoo_Pavry
Basically, on her death in 1995, Bapsy (the Marchioness of Winchester)gave £500,000 to the city for a community centre in the grounds of the Guildhall.
The council struggled to sort out this idea - and they finally, in 2009 (when the bequest was worth £1.4 million) decided to use the money to refurbish a room in the Guildhall in her name, with her portrait on the wall.
Not exactly a community centre is it!!???
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