One head thence abutting on to a certain croft now in the possession of Edmund Kympton towards the south and the other head abutting on the land recently in the possession of John Bore towards the north. Which certain pightle aforesaid with all its appurtenances was lately left to me the aforementioned Alice and my sons as the heir of Joan Harley my mother, by hereditary right after the death of the said Joan my mother, inasmuch as the said Joan my mother died in sole lordship thereof
To have and to hold the entirety of the aforementioned pightle with all its appurtenances to the aforementioned Master Stephen Hellard, Master Walter Smyth and John Huckle, their heirs and assigns, as capital lords of the fee by the services thence due and rightfully accustomed, for ever
And I, the aforementioned Alice Sawell and my heirs, grant the whole of the aforementioned pightle with all its appurtenances to the aforementioned Master Stephen Hellard, Master Walter Smyth and John Huckle, their heirs and assigns, against all people and forever defend it by these presents. In testimony of which I have set my seal to this my present charter.
Witnesses; Thomas French, gentleman, William Korye, gentleman, Master William Curtis, Walter Persse and others. Given at Stevenage aforesaid on the twelfth day of the month of September in the first year of the reign of King Richard III after the Conquest.
Vernon [scribe]
.....................................................................................................................................................
page 5
Will of Stephen Hellard, 20 December 1501
HALS DP/105/25/1
[H.P. Thorne's translation from the Latin]
In the name of God and all the sainctes, Amen:
This is the last will of Stephen Hellard, Preist; in Degrees Bachelour of Art, Rectour of the parish church [of] St Nicholes of Stevenage in the countie of Hertford, made the twentieth day of the month of December in the yeare of our Lord 1501 and in the seventeenth yeare of the reign of King Henry the seventh. I have a messuage with the appertiantes newly built lying in a lane called Dedelane nighe unto Stanmor in the parish of Stevenage as it appears more evidently by the Feoffment made concerning the same which messuage I doe call and doe will to be called of all others All Christen Soule House which house I have built for the habitation of three poore folke without any rent therefore to bee payed soe longe as the sayed house doth or shall endure and I will that everyone who dwelleth in the same house shall say dayly, 'In the name of the Holy Trinity and blessed Trinitie, Father and Sonne and Holy Ghost, have marcy and pity upon the soule of Master Stephen Hellard and uppon all Christen souls,' with three paternosters, three Ave Maryes and one Creed.
Allso I will that when it happeneth for one of the houses to bee empty then I will that one of the Feoffees doe forefee or provide another poore man or woman within fower months and if all the Feoffees cannot agree in one, then I will that the greater part of the Feoffees doe agree and if the Feoffees in choosing the poore man or woman bee equall in number one [on] both sides then I will that the rector of the parish church of Stevenage for the time beeing doe give his voyce according to his mind one [on] either of the sides and lett the election of the poore man or woman bee made soe with the parte of the rector because then in the election the other part is the greater by him. In witnes whereof I have set my seale to these presents.
Vernon [scribe]
......................................................................................................................................................
page 97
12 October 1911
Present: Mr F. H. Fresson (in the chair), Mr T. W. Ellis, Mr J. Flack,
Mr H Matthews, Mr J. Smart, Junior.
It was resolved that Mr Fresson do occupy the Chair.
The minutes of the last meeting were read, confirmed and signed.
Mr Fresson reported the death of Mrs Carpenter, one of the occupants of the almshouses, and that there were now three vacancies.
It was resolved that notices be published of the intention of the Trustees to fill two of the vacancies at a special meeting on Monday the 30th October 1911.
It was resolved that the payment of 2s per week to Sarah Piggott be continued for a further period of six months.
The accounts were examined and there appeared to be a balance in the Bank of 49 18s 7d. The following cheques were drawn and signed :-
Mr F. H. Fresson -
in repayment of sums paid to almspeople during the 15 weeks from the 3rd July
to the 9th October 1911 at 1 3s 6d per week 17 12d
Messrs W. Austin & Sons -
Oak gate to land near Symonds Green 1 17s 6d
Small bills
Shaw & Sons Forms of a/c 3s 3d
Norwich Union Insurance Society
Premium on Gas Works to midsumr 1912 18s 9d
Almshouses Do. 6s 0d
Fire Station to Lady Day 1912 3s 0d
Water Rent on Almshouses,
1 year to 29th Sept. 1911 1 4s 0d
2 15s 0d 22 5s 0d
[Signed] Fred[erick] H. Fresson
Presiding Chairman
......................................................................................................................................................
page 101
11 October 1912
Applications were received from Mr S. Gates of Norton Green Road and Mr John Chambers of Symonds Green to have the land to be given up by Mr Croft. It was resolved that advertisements be published in two issues of the 'Herts. Express' with an interval of two weeks, inviting applications to hire the land, the applicants to state the rent they would be willing to pay; and that separate applications be asked for in respect of the two distinct portions into which such land is divided.
It was resolved that a notice be posted outside the Council Offices inviting applications from married couples for a vacant almshouse.
......................................................................................................................................................
page 120
5 October 1916
Present: The Revd Canon Molony (Chairman), Mr Tho[ma]s W. Ellis, Mr James Flack, Mr F.H. Fresson, Mr J. W. Smith. The minutes of the previous meeting were read, confirmed and signed.
Mr Fresson reported that it had been arranged for Mrs Charlotte Gayler to live in the almshouse occupied by Mrs Chalkley, and that Mrs Chalkley had since made strong complaints about Mrs Gayler's conduct. Mr Fresson and other Trustees thought there were grounds for Mrs Chalkley's complaints. It having been stated that Mrs Doughty of Hitchin was interested in Mrs Gayler, it was decided that an effort be made to arrange with her as to Mrs Gayler's future and the matter was left in the hands of Mr Flack and Mr Fresson.
.....................................................................................................................................................
page 125
4 January 1918
Mr Fresson stated that Mrs Aldridge, Six Hills, desired to enter the Almshouses and that she had agreed with Mrs Chapman to live in the room occupied by her. It was resolved such arrangements be approved.
[Signed] Fred[erick] H. Fresson
......................................................................................................................................................
page 127
5 July 1918
There was no information with regard to the question of the gate post of the field at High Bromins.
Mr Fresson stated that he had received a complaint as to the conduct of Miss Piggott an occupier of one of the almshouses, who was reported to have improperly behaved towards Mrs Wright who shared the same almshouse with Miss Piggott.
The Clerk was directed to write to Miss Piggott and to inform her that she would be required to leave if such improper behaviour continued.
......................................................................................................................................................
page 129-30
14 October 1919
An approximate estimate of 3 pounds or 4 pounds for work of repairing the roof of the almshouses was received from Messrs W. Austin & Sons.
It was resolved that the estimate be accepted and the order for the work be given.
Consent was given to Mrs Aldridge to return to rooms at the Almshouses, she having left to reside with relatives, the present occupant, Mrs Chapman, having expressed her readiness to share rooms with Mrs Aldridge.
[Signed] C. Morgan Smith
Jan[uary] 12 1920
......................................................................................................................................................
page 148
8 August 1927
At a meeting of the Trustees held on Monday the 8th day of August 1927. Present: Mr James Flack (in the Chair) and Mr T. W. Ellis.
The minutes of the last meeting were read, confirmed and signed.
Mr Flack and Mr Ellis having inspected the Almshouses, had accepted a tender of Mr C.J. Bond for repairs, external painting of all the houses and renovation of interior of one empty house, of 8 17s 0d.
.....................................................................................................................................................
4th July 1930
A letter was read from the Sanitary Inspector of the Stevenage Urban District Council stating that the following defects were required to be remedied at the Almshouses:
WC cistern - no proper flush - cistern worn out- ventilation shaft adjoining WC perforated - a cast iron pipe required.
Gulley in centre of yard, brickwork broken, and water stands in pools. Requires cementing and making watertight.
One dustbin and lid required.
It was resolved that the above work be carried out and that the Clerk be directed to obtain an estimate of the cost of the work from Messrs W. Austin & Sons and C.J. Bond.
......................................................................................................................................................
page 159
2 October 1930
At a meeting of the Trustees held on Thursday the 2nd October 1930.
Present: Messrs F.H.Fresson (in the Chair), W.E. Conlin and T.W.Ellis.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read, confirmed and signed.
There was a balance at the Bank of 45 14s 0d.
The following tenders for the renovation at the Almshouses were received from:
Messrs W. Austin & Sons - 6 7s 6d
Mr C.J. Bond 5 0s 0d
It was resolved that the price of 5 pounds quoted by Mr C.J.Bond, for work at the Almshouses, reported by the Sanitary Inspector of the Council to be necessary be accepted.
It was resolved that the name of Mr W. Foster, Senior, of Letchmore Road, for a weekly allowance be placed on the list of applicants.
......................................................................................................................................................
page 164
5 January 1933
At a meeting of the Trustees held on Thursday the 5th day of January 1933. Present: Messrs T.W. Ellis (in the Chair), F.J. Blow, and W.E.Conlin. The Minutes of the previous meeting were read, confirmed and signed.
The Clerk reported that due notice had been given of the intended election at this meeting of a person to occupy the vacant Almshouse owing to the death of Mrs Thurstain. Two applications were received from the following persons:-
Mrs Ellis, 113 High Street, Stevenage. Aged 79 years.
Mrs Sams, 8 TrinityRoad, Stevenage. Aged 63 years.
After due consideration it was resolved that Mrs Ellis be accepted as tenant of the vacant Almshouse formerly occupied by Mrs Thurstain, Mrs Sams not being eligible on account of her receiving Poor Law Relief.
It was also resolved that Mrs Ellis have her daughter to live with her on the condition that the daughter is not to be considered as a tenant.
A letter was received from one of the tenants of the Almshouse complaining of the behaviour of one of the other tenants of the Almshouses. It was resolved that the Clerk be directed to write to both tenants informing them that such behaviour must cease or the Trustees would have to consider the question of termination of their tenancies.
......................................................................................................................................................
page 179
28 June 1937
Almshouses - lock etc
The Clerk stated that an inmate of the almshouses had complained about the condition of the lock on her front door, and had also asked that a letter box might be provided in the door.
The Clerk was authorised to have such matter attended to.
...............................................................
STEVENAGE CONSOLIDATED CHARITIES