Reference
Z455/6
Title
Attested copy of the will of Blandina Marshe, St Andrews, Holborn, London, spinster. Body to be buried in parish church of Dunstable without pomp.
Date free text
25 Nov 1730, 1 Jan 1779
Production date
From: 1730 To: 1779
Scope and Content
Partition to be made of estates I and late sister, Mary Leckington, were possessed of as tenants in common and after such partition, executor shall, from personal estate, erect on some convenient part of the estate in Dunstable, as near to the church as can be, one good substantial house to consist of 6 several apartments therein with all convenient offices, for harbouring in each apartment of one poor maiden gentlewoman, over 40, and descended of reputable parents, of good reputation herself and recommended by persons of reputation who frequent the Church of England. 2 of such 6 to be the daughters of attornies. Said house to be modelled on Wilk's almshouse at Leighton Buzzard. To cost between £400 and £600. House and ground to be vested in trustees.
... to John Dickinson, clerk, Marshe Dickinson, and Philip Aynscombe
- all my property in Dunstable, Hockliffe and Stanbridge and any other county in England
in order to make a partition of them as I and late sister were seised of as tenants in common, and then part to be allotted for said almshouses as above and vested in said trustees as deemed by executor, and Henshaw Halsey, Esq, Thomas Aynscombe, Esq, James Cart, gentleman and Charles Bayliff, gentleman, who are appointed trustees for the erection of said almshouse.
John Dickinson, Marshe Dickinson and Philip Aynscombe, after the building is finished, shall legally convey it unto themselves, her executor, and Henshaw Halsey, Thomas Aynscombe, James Cart and Charles Bayliffe in trust to carry out provisions as above and to secure certain sums of money
- £10 per annum to each of said 6 maiden gentlewomen, payable quarterly
-£2 to each inmate on Michaelmas day each year, to provide firing
-£3 3s yearly for a dinner for the trustees
-£5 per annum to be set aside for repairs
Trustees to decide who shall be admitted and to make all necessary rules. No one shall partake of the Charity except poor maiden
gentlewomen.
When trustees are reduced to two, may have power to appoint others, being substantial gentleman and living in or near Dunstable.
Until said Charity House is erected £10 per annum is to be paid to 6 poor maiden gentlewomen by the Trustees
... to cousin Thomas Ironmonger
- annuity of £20 per annum. If he mortgages it, then it is to cease.
After her death executor to use personal estate to purchase land of £35 per annum value:
£10 per annum to trustees for use of Minister of Dunstable
£5 per annum to be distributed to poor Anglicans of Dunstable parish, as do not receive alms, in December each year
£10 per annum to trustees for use of Minister of Leighton Buzzard
£5 to poor of Leighton Buzzard as above
£5 per annum to trustees for use of Minister of Hockliffe
... to Henry Daniel, my nurse's son
-annuity of £5 to be paid out of personal estate
... to cousin James Cart
-£40
...to cousin Thomas Aynscombe
-£40
... to Philip Aynscombe
-£10
... to Charles Bayliffe
-£50
... to Reverend Mr Abbott, lecturer of St Andrew's, Holborn
-£5
...to cousin John Dickinson
-interest on £100 during his life
... to cousin Francis Dickinson
-£40
... to cousin Marshe Dickinson's daughter, Mary
- best laces and best wearing apparel and linen
... maid servants living at my decease
- rest of my wearing apparel
...to Mrs Elizabeth Ackham
-£50
... to Sarah Paine, formerly servant to me and my sister
-£10
... to all servants living with me at my decease
-£10 a piece
other legacies etc as appointed by note in writing under my hand
... to kinsman Marshe Dickinson
-residue of estate
said Marshe Dickinson appointed executor 25 November 1730
certified true copy 1 January 1779
Level of description
item