it is the best way to be early in making application especially for the place of a young Lad Three or four years is but a reasonable time before hand for else ordinarily they will hardly have the benefit of their Warrant which some impute to the unkindness of the Officers For the Governours at an Assembly make a List and nominate their Lad each of them who being approved of is certain to come in though the place should fall after his Governours Death and till the former Nomination and Warrant be served no other can have any claim or vertue The Number now in the House maintained and kept is above 188 Persons besides the 29 Scholars at the Universities and the standing Council to the House which at present are Sir William Jones his Majesty's Attorney General and Mr. Dolben of the Temple have a retaining Fee from the House and several other persons who are mentioned in the first Establishment At the Admission of every Member it is required that they be sober in mind and healthful in body which later information is to be given by the Chriurgion with the Approbation of the Physician by an Order Decemb. 10. 1613. What a mighty benefit this Donation has proved to many hundreds in the space of Threescore and six years is almost incredible for no Estate of the like Revenue has done near so much good in all Europe For some Persons who have been Members of great and considerable Families have been glad to take Relief in this when their own wealthy Relations esteemed them as a burthen I have already given you an Account of the Ancient concerns of the House and now I intend to conclude with a fresh account of the Alterations of Salaries and increase of Revenues by the great wisdom and care of the Right Honourable the Governours As for the particular Orders by which the Ancient Men are to be regulated they are conveniently placed before their Devotions I find an Account of the Lands Mannors and Revenues of the Charter-house set down Alphabetically by Master Fuller but so confusedly by reason of mistakes of Farms for Mannors that I chose rather to set them exactly down as I found them in the Rental at the Charter-house made Anno Dom. 1673. 1. THe Estate about the Charterhouse viz. in the Lane and the Yard before the House and the Backside of the Wilderness called now Sutton's Street These are let out to several Tenants but the Annual Rent of them all amounts to l. s. d. 202 00 00 2. Some Lands at Hackney in the County of Middlesex which bring in per Annum 025 00 00 3. At Southminster in Essex the Lease-hold Rents of the same Mannor per Annum 921 03 04 The Free and Customary Rents of the said Mannor per Annum 038 08 3 ob 4. Cold Norton in Essex Lease-hold Rents 160 00 00 Free and Customary 017 06 09 5. Great Stanbridge in Essex Lease-hold Rents 113 06 08 Free and Customary 012 04 02 6. Little Hallingbury in Essex Lease-hold Rents 267 13 04 Free and Customary 010 16 2 ob 7. Castle-Camps in Cambridge Lease hold 652 14 08 Free and Customary 032 09 3. q. 8. Balsham Mannor in Cambridge Lease-hold 200 00 00 Free and Customary 041 19 5 ob q. 9. Buslingthorpe in Lincolnshire Lease-hold 305 10 00 10. Dunsby in Lincolnshire Farm Rents 408 18 08 11. Elcomb Mannor and Park in Wiltshire containing all these Farms which Mr. Fuller sets down for Mannors 1. Chilton 2. Black-grove 3. Missunden 4. Salthorpe 5. Wescott 6. Uffcott c. The Lease-holds whereof amount to 1063 13 04 Free and Customary 020 15 8 ob These are all the Mannors Lands and Revenues which were setled by the Founder himself upon his Hospital But the Purchases since have been Considerable 1. Thurston and the Marsh in Cold Norton in Essex which brings in per Annum l. s. d. 018 00 00 2. Elmestead Park in Essex Lease-hold 060 00 00 3. Fryans and Jackletts in Essex 60 00 00 4. Little Wigborow in Essex Farm Rents 200 00 00 Free and Customary 005 05 04 5. Higney Grange and Isle in Hungtingtonshire 220 00 00 6. Fulstow-Marsh-Chappel and Tetney in Linc. 50 00 00 7. Hartland in Devonshire 36 00 00 Small Tithes 25 00 00 8. West-black loft Saddlethorpe Yokfleet and Bellasis in Yorkshire 070 00 00 Free-hold 011 03 0 ob 9. Bockleton in Shropshire 060 00 00 10. Thickwood in Wiltshire 078 06 04 Another Rent 003 69 01 The Ancient Revenue comes to 4493 19 10 ob The new Purchased Lands to 0897 13 9 ob Both together amount to 5391 13 08 Although the House lost near 8000 l. in Beaumont's and Heyward's time in the years 1623 and 1624 and was robbed of 1600 l. in the year 1649. and was set behind hand in Mr. Gerard's time when he was Master yet during these Wars as well as formerly there have been considerable Additions since the year 1614. First of all 24 Boys were allowed at the University 20 pounds per Annum a piece out of Lands purchased by the good Providence of Sir Richard Sutton one of the Founders faithful Executors Secondly Five Scholars added since to the number of the University Youths who are now 29 by the good care and providence of Mr. Gresset And Four Scholars more added to the first Foundation of 40 maintained in the House The Masters Salary has been raised from 50 l. per Annum to a 100 l. and lately increased to 200 l. The Preachers from 40 l. per Annum to a 100 l. The Schoolmasters from 30 l. to a 100 marks The Readers from 20 l. to 30 l. per Annum The Gardiners place is also considerably encreast And the Apprentices have their 20 l. doubled For now the Lands amount to as before mentioned in the Rental l. s. d. 5391 13 08 A very fair Estate for a private man to get and to bestow to such Excellent Purposes whose praise ought to be celebrated in all Ages Thus we may observe how just and regular Affairs stand in this House that the Revenues are no way embezel'd 'T is true not many years since a lamentable sire happened which occasioned the taking out the famous 1000 l. so long kept prisoner in the Chest but yet in time it is to be hoped it may be gathered up and return to its old habitation and in truth it lay there to be a reserve for extraordinary Emergencies So neither is the Estate diverted to any other use than what the Founder design'd viz. decay'd Souldiers and English Gentlemen and others who formerly have been well educated These have every one a handsome and convenient Apartment Likewise it is laid out on the maintenance of decay'd Gentlemens Children who have a Chamber to two of them wholsom dyet admirable conveniences and all accommodations imaginable so that they are no burthen at all to their Parents after their first years admission into the House I have nothing now to say
all the said Houses Edifices Buildings Orchards Gardens Lands Tenements and Hereditaments within the Scite Circuit and Precinct of the same was is and shall be for ever hereafter an Hospital in deed and in name and is and shall be called by the name of the Hospital of King James The name of the Hospital founded in Charter-house within the County of Middlesex at the humble Petition and only Costs and Charges of Thomas Sutton Esquire and that such of the said Governours named or mentioned in the said Letters Patents as are yet living The Governours incorporated by what Name together with such others now living as have sithence been named or elected or mentioned to be elected into the room or place of such of them as are since dead or are removed or have relinquished their places and are now esteemed Governours now are and they and their Successors for ever hereafter shall be and continue And shall be adjudged deemed and taken to be a Body Corporate and Politique by the name of the Governours of the Lands Possessions Revenues and Goods of the Hospital of King James founded in Charter house within the County of Middlesex at the humble Petition and only Costs and Charges of Thomas Sutton Esquire and by that name shall have The Governours capacity and may have and enjoy all and singular such and the like capacity power and ability to all intents constructions and purposes as any other Corporation lawfully Incorporated may or ought to have And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the said Governours Power given to the Governours to make laws and orders under their Common Seal and their Successors for the time being or the most part of them from time to time and at all times hereafter as to their or the most part of them shall seem fit and convenient shall and may have full power and authority by writing under their Common Seal to make ordain set down and prescribe as occasion shall require such Rules Statutes and Ordinances as they shall from time to time and at all times think fit as well for and concerning the naming and electing of such person and persons as shall succeed into the place and room of any the said Governours when and as often as any of them shall dye or be removed from such place or places of Governour or Governours or voluntarily shall relinquish their places As also for and concerning the Election Order Rule and Government of the Master Preacher Schoolmaster Vsher poor Men poor Children and all other Members Officers or Servants of the said Hospital in their several places offices and rooms and for their and every of their Stipends and Allowances And that the same Rules Orders Statutes and Ordinances so from time to time to be made set down and prescribed as aforesaid shall be and stand in full force and strength in Law and be executed in all things according to the true intent and meaning thereof under the several pains forfeitures and penalties as shall be expressed and contained in the same Ordinances Statutes and Rules respectively Provided always that the said Rules Ordinances and Statutes or any of them be not repugnant or contrary to the Laws or Statutes of this Realm of England nor against the purport or true intent of the recited Letters Patents The Governours henceforth to take the Oaths of Supremacy Allegiance And be it enacted and established by the Authority aforesaid That every person that shall from henceforth be Elected a Governour of the said Hospital shall before he exercise the place of a Governour take the several Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance which any two others of the said Governours for the time being The Master to take the same Oathes henceforth shall have power and authority by this Act to administer unto them And that the Master from henceforth to be elected shall before he exercise or take any benefit of the said place take the said several Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance The Masters other oath And shall also take an Oath that neither he nor any other for him with his privity allowance or consent hath given or shall give directly or indirectly any mony or other gratuity or reward for or in respect of the having or enjoying of the said place All which said Oaths to be taken by such Master any two of the said Governours for the time being shall have power and authority by this Act to administer And that the Preacher Minister Schoolmaster Vsher The oaths of the Preacher Schoolmaster Usher Officers and poor men Officers and poor men and every of them from henceforth to be elected and admitted shall before he exercise or take benefit of any such place take the said several Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance And shall also take an Oath that neither he nor any other for him with his privity allowance or consent hath given or shall give directly or indirectly any mony or other gratuity or reward for or in respect of the having or enjoying of the said place All which said Oaths by the said Preacher Minister Schoolmaster Vsher Officers and poor Men to be taken any one of the said Governours and the said Master for the time being shall have power and authority by vertue of this Act to administer The Governours to hold for ever the Hospital against the King and others And be it further enacted and established by the Authority aforesaid That the said Governours and their Successors shall and may for ever hereafter have hold and enjoy according to the purport true intent and meaning of the said Indenture of Bargain and Sale the said Hospital House and all Buildings Gardens Courts Orchards and Backsides thereto belonging and all and singular the Mannors Messuages Lands Tenements Liberties Franchises and Hereditaments by the aforesaid Letters Patents by the said Indenture of Bargain and Sale given granted conveyed and assured or meant mentioned or intended in or by the said Letters Patents or Indenture to be given granted conveyed or assured to the said Governours against our Soveraign Lord the King's Majesty his Heirs and Successors and against all other Person and Persons of whom the said Hospital House Mannors Lands Tenements and Hereditaments or any of them were holden at the time of the said Indenture made and against their Heirs and Issues notwithstanding any Title accrewing for or by any Alienation in Mortmain And also against all and every other person and persons of whom the said Thomas Sutton did purchase the said Hospital House Mannors Lands Tenements and Hereditaments or any of them respectively and against their Heirs Issues and Assigns And also against all and every other person and persons claiming or that shall claim any Estate Right Title or Interest of in out or unto the said Hospital Mannors Lands Tenements and Hereditaments or any of them by from or under any person or persons of whom the said Thomas Sutton
did purchase the same unless such other person and persons do pursue their Title Claim or Interest by way of Action or lawful Entry within ten years after the end of this present Session of Parliament Saving to the King's Majesty Exceptions and Savings his Heirs and Successors all such Estate Right Title and Interest as his Majesty had or might have had unto any the said Mannors Lands Tenements and Hereditaments before the said Indenture made other than for or by reason of any Alienation in Mortmain And saving to all and every other person or persons Bodies Politique and Corporate and their Heirs and Successors other than the Heirs of the said Thomas Sutton and other than such person and persons from whom the said Thomas Sutton purchased the said Hospital House Mannors Lands Tenements or Hereditaments or any of them their Heirs Issues and Assigns and Persons claiming by from or under them respectively and other than such Person and Persons as shall claim the title of Alienation in Mortmain of any the said Mannors Lands Tenements and Hereditaments all such Estate Right Title Claim Custome Interest and Demand whatsoever as they or any of them have or shall have in as large and ample manner and form to all intents and purposes as if this Act had never been had nor made The Governours disabled to convey the Hospital House or Lands to the King And be it further enacted and established by the Authority aforesaid That the said Governours and their Successors shall be from and after the end of this present Session of Parliament for ever wholly and utterly disabled in Law to make do levy or suffer any Act or Acts Thing or Things whereby or by means whereof the said Hospital House Mannors Lands Tenements or Hereditaments or any part of them or any of them shall or may be aliened assured given granted demised charged or in any sort conveyed or come to the possession of our said Soveraign Lord the King All conveyances to the King of any the Hosâ—ital Lâ—â—… us to be vâ—â—…d his Heirs or Successors And that all Alienations Assurances Gifts Grants Leases Charges and Conveyances whatsoever from and after the end of this present Sâ—ssion of Parliament to be done sufferâ—â— or made to our said Soveraign Lord the King his Heirs or Successors by the said Governours or their Successors of or out of the said Hospital House Mannors Lands Tenements or Hereditaments or of or out of any part or parcel of them or any of them shall be from and after the end of this present Session of Parliament utterly void and of none effect to all intents constructions and purposes any former Law Statute Act Ordinance or other matter or thing to the contrary notwithstanding The Governours disabled to make any Estates but for 21 years or under or for one two or three lives or for any years determinabâ—e upon one two or three lives by Indenture in possession and not in Reversion at the usual Rent or more or the tâ—ue yearly value thereof And be it further enacted and established by the Authority aforesaid that the said Governours and their Succesors and every of them be also from henceforth for ever wholly and utterly disabled in Law to make do levy or suffer any act or acts thing or things whereby or by means whereof the said Hospital-house Mannors Lands Tenements or Hereditaments or any of them or any part of them or any of them shall or may be aliened assured given granted demised charged or in any sort conveyed to any Person or Persons Bodies Politique or Corporate other than Leases and Demises by Indenture of the said Mannors Lands Tenements and Hereditaments and every or any of them other than the said Hospital-house Orchards Gardens Backsides or any of them or any part of them or any of them now used for the habitation or use of or for the Master Preacher Schoolmaster Vsher poor Scholars and poor People of the said Hospital or any of them for the term of One and twenty years or under in possession and not in reversion or for one two or three lives or for any number of years determinable upon one two or three lives in possession and not in reversion and whereupon such yearly rent or more shall be reserved to the Governours of the said Hospital and their Successors during the continuance of every such Lease as is now reserved upon any demise thereof or otherwise the true yearly value thereof and other than Grants by Copy of Court Roll according to the Customes of the several Mannors respectively An Exception by granting by Copy of Court Roll. Provided nevertheless that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Governours and their Successors to grant reasonable and convenient Annuities Rents or Fees to such person or persons as shall be Officers Ministers or needful Attendants concerning the affairs of the said Hospital only for life or at will So as the number of the Officers Ministers or needful Attendants be not increased above the Number which now is as fully and amply as they should or might have done as if this Act had never been had or made A Proviso for the Lord North. Provided always and be it enacted that this Act or any thing herein before contained shall no way extend to give any title to the said Hospital in or unto the Mansion-house now in possession of the Right Honourable Dudley Lord North or of his Assigns at or near the East end of the said Hospital nor unto any the Buildings Edifices Courts Gardens Orchards or Grounds thereunto belonging or therewith used or enjoyed nor unto any other the Messuages Tenements or Hereditaments of the said Lord North being within or near the Scite or Precinct of the said Hospital But that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Lord North his Heirs Tenants and Assigns for ever hereafter to hold and enjoy against the Governours Master and other the Owners or Possessors of the said Hospital in the Charter-house now and for the time being the said Mansion-house and Premises and all ways and passages by Cart or otherwise Easements Waters Water-courses Chanels Pipes Conduits Cocks Liberties Profits and Hereditaments to the same or any of them belonging or therewith or with any of them now used or enjoyed or the which by the true meaning of any Grant Covenant Clause or Agreement contained in one Deed of Feoffment made by Edward Lord North unto Sir William Peter Knight and others bearing date the Sixth day of November in the Fifth year of the Reign of the late Queen Elizabeth and in one other Deed made by Roger late Lord North and others to the Right Noble Prince Thomas late Duke of Norfolk bearing date the last day of May in the Seventh year of the Reign of the said late Queen Elizabeth were meant and intended to belong unto or to be enjoyed with the said Mansion-house or any other the