Scope and Content
(i) George Edwards, Henlow, Esquire
(ii) George Nigel Raynsford, Lincolns Inn, Middlesex, Esquire
Thomas Alexander Raynsford, Registers Office, Chancery Lane, London, Esquire
Richard Taylor Raynsford, Esquire, Captain in Royal Artillery
Thomas Gregory, vicar of Henlow
John Atkinson, Henlow, clerk
Samuel Wilson, Holme, Biggleswade, farmer
Samuel Kirkby, Henlow and Norton Bury, Hertfordshire, farmer
Francis Fowler
Charles Ell
George Tingey
Francis Gurney
William Arnold
(all of Henlow, farmers)
William Lyle, Henlow, farmer
At a vestry meeting held in Henlow church on 18 May 1803 to consider building a workhouse or poor house in place of 5 old ruinous and decayed houses called the Church House, now pulled down, it was agreed to build such houses. Money necessary to be raised upon annuities for lives and to be paid out of poor rates. (i) required to procure the money upon the most advantageous terms. Those present subscribed their names to such agreement
(i) agrees to give land
(i) has borrowed from Isaac Windsor of Shefford, gentleman, £500 upon an annuity of £70 upon life of Isaac Windsor and wife Barbara, and survivor of them, and £200 from Mary Bedford, Baldock, Hertfordshire, widow, upon annuity of £21 for her life
workhouse and other buildings are built but (i) has not yet conveyed land
said Isaac Windsor and wife are dead, so annuity has ceased. Agreed that buildings shall be security for (i) against said annuity of £21 other than his own proportion
now (i) confirms to (ii)
... land in Henlow (1 rood 38 perches) which with the building lately standing thereon were formerly in the occupation of Francis Bell, and then of Samuel Bell and since of John Smith and on which said workhouse and other houses have lately been erected
to be held by (ii) on trust
1) to raise money on the premises to keep them in repair and pay taxes
2) to discharge said annuity of £21 other than (i)'s share, out of poor rates
as in accordance to vestry agreement and an indenture of even date between a) Amabella, Baroness Lucas and said Thomas Gregory and all of (ii) except Raynsfords, and b) George Edwards
3) for benefit of poor as vestry shall appoint
when trustees only number 5, new ones shall be appopinted by said remaining trustees, and by the owner of the mansion now in the occupation of (i), and by the minister, churchwardens and overseers of Henlow, and by the inhabitants at a vestry meeting. 3 of said trustees to be appointed by (i) or the owner of the mansion house
signed (i)
endorsed witnesses: Simon Oliver Taylor, Henlow
Isaac Hindley, Baldock, Hertfordshire 24 Oct 1807
with note as to the acknowledgement of the execution of the deed by (i) signed by H O Roe, a Master Extraordinary of Chancery 18 Nov 1807
enrolled in Chancery 10 Dec 1807