Reference
X983/1/1
Title
Trustees' Minute Book. The entries are spaced out as if other entries should have been added and there are large gaps when no minutes are recorded. The entry for 1903 appears in the middle of those for 1917.
Date free text
27 February 1862 - 10 April 1922
Production date
From: 1862 To: 1922
Scope and Content
Includes:
- 27 Feb 1862 procurement of deed box to hold the charity's papers.
- 28 April 1863 Boys apprenticed during last year: George Mercer Procter with Mr Jesse White Cowley of Stevington, shoemaker. Amos Pickering with Mr John Meekan of Buckingham, blacksmith; Henry James Maddams with James Maynard of Bedford, wheelwright, Eli Craddock with Edward Long of Thurleigh, blacksmith. Mr Isaac West of Turvey, shoemaker resigned the indentures of his apprentice Joseph Nobles on account of the incompatibility of their tempers. Joseph Nobles has not been reassigned.
- 28 April 1863 - opportunity of using balance in hand to purchase land for building a school.
- 10 Sept 1863 offer to sell to the trustees a portion of Dove house close for the site of a school and school house, agreed to purchase.
- 22 Feb 1864 - report of correspondence with charity commissioners and progress regarding proposed school.
[There are no minutes recorded between 1864 and 1872]
- 26 Feb 1872 request that the charity commissioners be asked for further grant and that application 'be made for sanction to employ £150 of the present balance of £177 towards the cost of building the school in addition to the former sum of £600 already paid over.' James Pearse's opinion be taken on the meaning of 'the poor of Clapham' to ascertain what boys may be eligible for apprenticeship. Complaint of the parents of Alfred Cowley, apprentice of George Haskins, wheelwright of Ravensden to be investigated 'from such inhabitants of Ravensden as could be most readily consulted regarding the truth of the allegations.'
- 26 May 1872 The allegations against George Haskins having been confirmed and Haskins having been made a bankrupt, Alfred Cowley to be bound to Mr Maynard, wheelwright of St Peters, Bedford for the remainder of the term. Mr Pearse's opinion given - not obiliged to restrict to boys who have legal settlement in Clapham, can give a larger premimun if funds sufficient, 'As far as I know the Trustees never bind girls as apprentices...I think they have the power; but whether they ought to exercise it is a different question.' Proposed byelaw that 'such boys as were born in Clapham and whose parents have been resident there continuously since the birth of these boys shall have the preference for apprenticeship.'
27 July 1872 - approval of charity commissioners for further contribution towards school buildings.
6 Sept 1873 - death of Mr William Franklin, tenant of the charity estate. Trustees to hold in hand until Michaelmas 1874, Mr Trethewy to survey the property to fix the future rent for a lease of 14 years. Mr Franklin junr to be requested to 'search for brick clay and make some tiles this season to test the quality of the clay' [note after minutes reports that this was done and quality good]. Discussion of things to be put to the charity commissioners.
25 April 1874 report on state of the estate, which it was agreed to offer to Mr C Franklin on a lease of 14 years. [Note that Mr Franklin accepted, it was agreed to fell and sell some trees from the land and this took place and yielded £34.5.0 and a report was made on the renewal of buildings.
[No minutes between 1875-1915, except see below for 21 Feb 1903]
20 May 1916 - meeting regarding whether J G Robinson should continue his apprenticeship. Agreed he ought to finish the five years. [Note that he has been called up to serve in the army.]
26 June 1917 - to increase insurance to £600.
21 July 1917 - insurance to be £500, change in trustees.
21 Feb 1903 - Arthur, son of widow Gilbert who will be 15 in June next and Charles son of Widow (of George) Collier, now 15, accepted to be bound in June both to the trade of carpenter. Mr Charles Taylor sent thanks for the benefit his son William had derived from his apprenticeship to Mr Freshwater. Change to the way indentures to be signed.
15 March 1918 - various administrative changes.
28 March 1919 - to leave in abeyance Mr Negus' application for a weekly grant to Sydney Smith. Decision to offer £45 for three year apprenticeship rather than the £20 for five years.
16 Oct 1919 - Trustees had inspected the property at Marston Mortaine and asked Mr Smith to give an estimate for certain repairs needed.
21 Oct 1919 - Mr Smith's estimate to be accepted with specification for the work to be done. Mr Franklin to undertake to tar all the farm buildings.
11 March 1920 - Work at Marston done satisfactorily and Mr Smith's account to be settled. Estimate for further repairs much too high at £55.
14 March 1921 - Further work to be done on the Marston property by Mr Smith for £45. List of trustees under the new scheme.
10 April 1922 - Notices re. order of the charity commissioners regarding the new scheme. List of accounts to be paid.
Level of description
item