Reference
Z937/30/6
Title
Copy of articles of agreement on the running of the workhouse between the church warden and overseers of Hitchin and Richard Stapleton, farmer, of Hitchin. Also a copy of Richard Stapleton's bond to perform covenants, and a copy bond from Mr Edward Samm "in case R Stapleton does not so perform covenants".
1. Agreement dated 3 Nov 1764 between Joseph Margetts Pierson, John Crabb and John Collison, churchwardens of Hitchin, Robert Ralphs, John Creasy and George Welch, overseers, and Richard Stapleton. At a legal vestry meeting held for the poor of Hitchin on 4 October 1764, the officers above and other principal inhabitants agreed Richard Stapleton should have the care of the poor & managament of the workhouse for 3 years.
Itemises all duties and responsibilities including care of the sick, provision of milk, white wine, gruel, mutton, linen, hats, stockings, etc, the costs of appeals, authorises rents to be collected for repairs to the workhouse, and allows payment to Stapleton of 280 for the 3 years (at 21.10.9d every four weeks). Specifies the quality of the bread flour and dressing of meat.
Refers to the almshouse founded by John and Ralph Skymer. Values the household goods and wearing apparel in the workhouse at 115.10s.
Poor people to be kept "neat sweet & clean" and the workhouse "wholesome"; the poor to be decently buried; the children to be taught reading in English; the inmates to attend divine service with Stapleton at the parish church on all Lord's days, except dissenters who may worship elsewhere; a proper person be paid to read prayers in the workhouse which Stapleton and the poor must attend; if smallpox or other "pestilential" disease break out in Hitchin, the churchwardens and overseers will decide when or if a poor person should be removed from the workhouse to the pesthouse; the churchwardens, overseers and any other rate-paying parishioner may inspect the workhouse at any time.
Signed by Richard Tristram and Lawrence Times.
2. Bond of Richard Stapleton to Joseph Margetts Pierson, John Crab, John Collison, Robert Ralphs, John Creasy, George Welch, in 280 on condition to observe the agreement..
Dated 3 November 1764. Signed by Richard Tristram and Lawrence Times.
3. Bond from Edward Samm, grocer of Hitchin, to the same people, in 231 to cover the 115.10s goods and furniture in the workhouse if Stapleton fails to maintain it.
Dated 3 November 1764. Signed by Lawrence Times.
4. Confirmation that goods in the workhouse are valued at 115.10s by Richard Shillingford, Francis Gilby, John Stevens, Richard Angell.
5. Receipt for the goods by Richard Stapleton (his mark) 5th November 1764, witnessed by Lawrence Times.
Date free text
1764
Production date
From: 1764 To: 1764
Exent
12, No. of pieces: 1
Handwritten
Format
Booklet
unbound paper booklet
Level of description
item