The survey and antiquitie of the towne of Stamford in the county of Lincolne with its ancient foundation, grants, priviledges, and severall donations thereunto belonging : also a list of the aldermens names, and the time when they were chosen : with the names of 10 Lord Majors (of the Hon. city of London) borne in the foresaid county of Lincolne / written by Richard Butcher, Gent. ...

CHAP. IX. (Book 9)

The Names and pious Deeds of such as have been Benefactors to Stamford, either to the Corporation in generall, or to particuler Parishes in the same, w••th the severall Vses of those good deeds described.

IT now followes, that I here set downe the names of such as have from time to time been Benefactors to the said Towne of Stamford generally or particu∣larly: And in the first place I can••ot but acknow∣ledge that the Lord and giver of all good gifts the Almighty God of Heaven and Earth, hath not only inspired many worthy and religeous persons who by their Charity and Almes-deeds have from time to time, and till the end of ••ime given allowment, either to the generall or particular members there∣of; but also by his provident care (whereby all things doe subsist) with a preventing knowledge did possesse the first Founders of this Towne with such a fore-sight, that for the better preservation there∣of to all Posterity▪ they scituated it in such a place that the most skil∣full Engineers, which in these present civill Warres have surveyed the same on both sides, nor the plots or practises of those who with∣out judgement would have Canonized it▪ could never find the way to make it a Towne ren••ble either for offence or defence▪ which yet hitherto hath caused the same (though much weakened by the free Quartering of passing and repassing of Companies) not to suf∣fer such miserable spoiles as other neighbour Cities and Townes have undergone, by the taking and retaking of them on both sides, to the utter ruine and destruction of the harmlesse Inhabitants: In which regard it were impiety in me, if J should not acknowledge

our great and good God to be the prime and best Benefactour to us at Stamford.

Our late Soveraigne Lord K. Edward the 4^th, upon the incorpora∣ting of this Towne, gave the Lands of Gowen Southerope (which were confiscated to the Crowne) to the Alderman and Burgesses of Stamford for ever.

The late most pious and gracious Prince King Edward the 6. gave the Lands and Tenements formerly belonging to the dissolved Gild or Fraternity of Corpus Christi in Stamford, to the Alderman and Burgesses and their Successors for ever, which are worth to the Towne at present 160. l. per annum, being the greatest and chiefest revenue the Towne hath in lands at this time.

William Ratcliffe Esquire, having been Alderman of Stamford foure times, in anno Dom. 1530. gave all his Messuages, Lands and Tenements in Stamford, for the perpetuall maintenance of a Free Grammar-schoole in that Towne, which Land (as it stands) for the present improved, yeelds to the head Schoole-master and Usher 30. l. per annum or thereabouts: For the augmentation of which stipend William Cecell late Lord Burleigh, gave (or pretended to give) 4. l. per annum, to the said Schoole for ever, issuing out of a depopulated Town neare Stamford called Pickworth, but in regard the heires of the said Lord Burleigh when they let the last Leases of the said Mannor of Pickworth, for the better advancement of the Fines, pre∣tended to the Tenants that they should hold their Farmes tyth-free, but no sooner were their Leases made, sealed and delivered, when as the said Heire presented a Chaplaine of his own to the Parsonage thereof▪ the same having neither Towne nor Church standing▪ only the ruines of both appearing: So that the Parson making good the Title and Tithes from the Tenants, they have ever since refused to pay the said 4 l. per annum, to the use of the said Schoole.

William Browne Marchant of the Staple, and sometime Alder∣man of Stamford erected in anno Dom. 1493. the old Bead-house there called Brownes Beadhouse incorporating the same of a War∣den, Confrater and 12 poore Old-men, and one woman for a Nurse unto them: Gave to the same the Mannor of Swayfield, 7. miles from Stamford worth 400. l. per annum, besides divers great Farmes

Messuages, lands, and tenements in Stamford, Pil••gate, Eas••on, Northluffenham, and other places of good value; a very pious and liberall guift, though (the more is the pitty, as many of the like na∣ture are) much abused by the avarice and misimployment of the Governours thereof.

Mrs. Iane Cecell Widdow in anno Dom. 1561, at her own costs and charges leaded and paved the Fryday-Market Crosse in Stam∣ford.

In anno Dom. 1570, the North end of the Town-Bridge in Stamford being born down by the violence of a great Hood, was re-edified at the cost and charges of William Cecell then Lord Bur∣ley, and good reason, for he and his heires do raise 100. l. per annum. for the ••ollage of the said Bridge, and out of the Fayres and markets of Stamford.

Francis Trigg Clarke in anno Dom. 1585, gave 4. l. per 〈◊〉〈◊〉 forever, to buy Barly to make Bread for the poore of Stamford.

George Trigg Gentleman in anno Dom. 1586, gave 400. l. in Money to be lent out for ever upon good security, to poore yong Tradesmen and Artificers in Stamford, without interest.

William Lord Burley in anno Dom. 1597, erected an Hospitall at the South end of Stamford Bridge, in a place where formerly stood a Religious house, the Lands and Tenements to the same be∣longing he obtained of Queen Elizabeth, and gave a perpetuall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the said Hospitall, issuing out of Cliffe-Park•• neer Stam∣ford, for the maintainance of a Warden and 12 poor men, the War∣den receiving 3. s. 4. d. weekly, and each poor man 2. s. 4. d. week∣ly, with yeerly allowance of wood, and blew Cloth to make each of them a Gown; and the said Lord Burley did appoint the Al∣derman of Stamford for the time being, to have the nomination of foure of the said poor men, when any of the said places shall happen to f••ll voyd.

In anno Dom. 1588, the foresaid Mrs. Iane Cecell by her last Will and Testament, gave 50. l. to be lent out for ever without in∣terest to poor Tradesmen and Artificers in Stamford and Stamford-Baron, the same to be disposed of by certain Feoffers nominated in hersaid Will.

Richard Sn••••de•• Clarke and Parson of St. Iohns in Stamford by his last will in anno Dom. 1604, gave certain Lands and Tene∣ments for ever in Stamford (after the decease of his wife) fo•• seaven poor Widdowes of the age of 60 yeares and upwards the profits whereof doth afford each Widdow 7. d a weeke and a house to dwell in, and by the said will it is appointed that the Alderman of Stamford, for the time being, shall appoint them to their places when any place shall fall void.

Iane K••shey late of Stamford Widdow, the same yeer by her last Will▪ gave 8. l. for ever to be put forth to interest and the pro∣fits thereof to go to the use of the poor of Stamford.

Sir Robert Wingfield late of Vpton in the County of Northamp∣ton Knight, being one of the Comburgesses of Stamford, and likewise one of the Burgesses of the Parliament, the same ye••re, ob∣tained of King Iames the pardon and remittance of two fifteenes for Stamford and Stamford-Baron, amounting to the summe of 84. l. 8. s. 4. d.

The same Sir Robert Wingfield in anno Dom. 1605, obtained par∣don and remittance of the said King Iames, for Stamford and Stamford-Baron of six entire fifteenes, amounting to the summe of 254. l. 6. s.

Anno Dom. 1609, the right honourable Thomas late Earle of Ex••ter, a right pious and charitable person, a man (as we of Stam∣ford may say) fixed in his generation▪ as our Saviour Christ was in his passion, betwixt two, &c. gave a perpetuall ann••ety of 41. l. 1. s. 8. d. per annum▪ issuing out of certain Lands in Lincolnshire, for the putting forth of poor children Apprentizes (such as should be born in the Town of Stamford) and towards other charitable use••, besides the Town did often receive from him (whilst it was blessed with his life) many great and beneficiall favours.

Hugh Allington late of Timwell in the County of Rutland Esqu. by his last will gave 40. l. forever, to be lent to the poor artificers in Stamford and Stamford-Baron, without interest, by certain Feoffers named in his said will.

Roger Mannors of Vffington in the County of Lincoln Esquire, by his last will gave to the use of the poor of Stamford 20. l. for e∣ver

to be put forth to interest, the profit whereof to be bestowed in C••les amongst the said poor yeerly, by the dis••retion of the Alder∣man, for the time being.

The reverend and pious Prelate Robert Iohnson of Northluffing••••, in the County of Rutland, late Arch Deacon of L••icester amongst other his pious works to Stamford whilst he lived, gave a Bible of the largest size to passe from Alderman to Alderman and the ••id on the Aldermans cushion before him in the Church, every Lords day or at other times when he goeth to Church.

Antony Ash•••• Gentleman, by his last Will gave 5. l. per annum, for ever to the use of the poor in Stamford.

Mr. Edward Welles gave a house which yeelds 3. l. 10. s. per annum and three akers of Land, to be payd to a petty School-master in Stamford, to teach poor Free-mens children of that Town to reade English.

Anno Dom. 1638, VVilliam Beanell late of Chasterton in the County of Huntingdon Esquire, by his last Will gave to the use of the poore of Stamford 80. l. the interest whereof to be distribut••d amongst the said poor by the discretion of the Alderman for the time being.

St. Maries.

VVilliam Hickham Alderman of Stamford, anno Dom. 1467 at his own cost and charges built the gilded Quire on the North side of the Chancell of the said Church, and both he and his wife lye bu∣ried under a faire stone of blew Marble (as aforesaid) in the mistd of the same Quire.

Richard Banister late of the same parish Gentleman, erected at his own charges in the South Quire of St. Maries aforesaid, a p••••∣sique Library and gave some Books to the same, as Gall••••s Workes and some other Bookes both of Physick and Chyrurgery, and at hi•• death gave 10. l. in Money, the interest of which summe is yeerely to be bestowed in Bookes for the increase of the said Library, such as the Minister of that his Parish shall think most fit.

Mr. Robert Bullack sometime of this Parish, was a good bene∣factor to the same in setting the poor children (not onely of this

parish, but of the town in generall) at work to the knitting of Iersey.

Mr. Iohn West Citizen and Butcher of London born in this Parish, gave 4. l. to the said Parish, the interest of which is yeerly to be be∣stowed upon the Poore of the same.

Robert Bullack•• of London Chyrurgion, giveth 3. l. to be added to the 4. l. his Unckle Ioh•• VVest giveth for the use of the poor, the interest to buy Bread the Sabath a••ore and after Christ-t••d•• yeerly for ever, to be distributed in the Church to needfull poore, by the Officers of the said Parish.

Iohn Bullack of London Butcher, giveth 3. l. to make the afore∣said 7. l. 10. l. and the interest of the said 10. l. to be given monthly, or at the discretions of the Elders or Church-Wardens.

Edward Robinson Citizen and White-Baker of London gave 11. l. 6. s. 8. d. per annum to the said Parish, during the terme of certain yeeres yet to come in a lease which hee had at the time of his death. of the Inne called the White-Horse in Fetter-lane London, part of which said summe is to buy Books for the said Library, and the rest to be for the repairing and adorning of the said Curch.

Iohn L••is•• one of the Comburgesses of Stamford, and ••re an inhabitant of this Parish gave 20. l. the interest whereof, to be for the repayrers of the said Church.

One Mr. Greene who lately sojorned in this Parish, and here dy∣ed gave very liberally towards the building of a very faire Pulpit in this Church, and towards a rich Velvet Pulpit-cloth for the same.

Mr. Marshall Citizen and White-Baker of London, gave 3. l. and Mr. Thomas Harrison Citizen and Vintner of London, gave 2. l.

The said Master Harrison likewise, gave for the use of the said Parish two pewter Flaggons (very fayre ones) for Communion Wine▪ and a Pewter 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to carry the Bread from Communicant to Communicant, likewise he gave to the said Parish, a gilt alcumy Bason to gather collection in the Church for the poor.

There is 6. s. 8. d. per annum▪ payd to St. Maries for the repayrers of the Church, being the small ••ene of a shop in Stamford-Baron but who gave the same to the Church I cannot find.

All-Saints.

Mr. Marshall Citizen and White-Baker of London gave 10. l. to this Parish the interest of which summe to be to the use of the poor of this parish, also the said Mr. Marshall gave 20 marks per annum for a weekly Lecture in this Parish, which for a time was main∣tained, but the lecture ceasing, the Mony was ••nd still is detained.

Mr. Iohn D••••ham gave 5. l. to this Parish, the interest whereof yeerly to be to the use of the poor of the same.

Mr. Robert VVarner gave 5. l. to the said Parish, the interest to be to the use of the poor thereof.

Mrs. VVinifred Browne, the wife and Executrixe of Iohn Browne late of this parish Esquire, gave 10. l. the interest of which summe to be to the use of the poore of the said Parish.

VVilliam Fisher late of Bourne in the County of Lincoln Gentle∣man, gave Six pence a weeke for ever, to be given in br••ad for the use of the poor of this Parish.

VVilliam Browne Marchant of the Staple, 200 yeares or there a∣bout•• now past, at his own proper costs built the Steeple belonging to this Church, being a very curious and excellent Fabrick, likewise he built a great part of the Church it self, and both he and his wife lye buried in a Chappell proper to his Family, on the North side of the said Church towards the Quire.

The Lady Bu•••• gave the summe of 20. l. to this Parish, the interest of which summe is yeerly to be distributed to the poor of the same.

St. Georges.

Mrs. Iane Cecell Widdow, Mother to VVilliam Lord Burley, ••ave 15. l. for ever, the interest of which to be to the use of the poor ••f this Parish.

Iohn Chir•••• late of Stamford-Baron, Gentlem••n gave 20. ••. per annum, for ever to the use of the poore of ••••is Parish, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to be payd to them every quarter.

VVilliam C••••e Esquire now living at the Black-Fryer••, in the same Parish, hath given 40. s. per annum for ever to the said parish, to provide bread and Wine for a Communion to be ministred vpon the first Lords day of every Month in the yeare.

The foresaid VVilliam Fisher, gave to this Parish 12. d. a weeke for ever, to be distributed to the poore of the same in Bread.

There is belonging to this Parish 7. l. per annum, being the rent so divers Tenements in the same, but I can not learne who gave the same to this Church.

St. Iohns.

The foresaid Lady Bucke gave 20 l. to this Parish, the interest whereof to be yeerly distributed amongst the poore of the same.

There was a Tenement given to the Parson of this Parish and his successors for ever by Mr. George Trigge, vpon this condition, that the said Parson and his successors should yeerly distribute to the poore of this Parish the summe of 27. s.

St. Michaels.

I cannot learne that there ever was any Benefactor either to the Church or to the poore of this Parish.

St. Martins in Stamford-Baron.

The Lady Dorothy Cecell gave Lands forever of the yeerly va∣lue of 12. l. 6. s. 8. d. to this Parish to the uses following. That is to say, part therof to be payd to the putting forth of poore children of the said Parish, to be Apprentizes, an other part to be weekly alow∣ed to some honest person which shall teach the poore children of this parish to reade English; a•• other part thereof for the buying of Wooll, Flax and He••p to set both young and old poor people of this Parish to work; an other part thereof to be allowed to some honest person to teach the said poor people to work: and also 20▪ s. to be yeerly allowed out of the profits of the said Land to the Vicar and Church-Wardens of this Parish for them to joyn with the over∣seers for the poor to see the said poor kept at work, and that the o∣verplus (if any be) shall be bestowed weekly upon the poorer sort who (though endeavouring themselves) are not able to find them∣selves by their labours.

The foresaid Lady Bucke gave 20. l. to this Parish, the interest of the same to bee yeerly distributed amongst the Poore of the said Parish.

Lord send us Mercy, Truth, and Peace, That Benefactours may increase: That when a new Edition's made, More Pious people I may adde.