Dawley: Charities for the poor

CHARITIES FOR THE POOR.

Richard Hodden, by will dated 1684, left £7 a year charged on land to the poor of Dawley. (fn. 1) In the early 19th century it was distributed, sometimes with the poor's stock, in small doles mainly to widows. (fn. 2) In 1860 Hodden's charity was apportioned between the parishes of Dawley Magna, Malinslee, and Little Dawley, (fn. 3) and from 1912 was administered through the consolidated charities of the three parishes. (fn. 4)

By will proved 1756 Rebecca Walthall, owner of Malinslee, left the interest on £40 to be distributed in Malinslee. (fn. 5) In 1820 the yearly interest, 40s., was distributed in small sums by William Botfield. (fn. 6) By 1912 the stock had increased to £44 18s. 2d. and Walthall's charity became part of the Malinslee Consolidated Charities. (fn. 7)

Enoch Cooper, by will dated 1721, left the interest on £20 to the poor of Dawley. The capital sum became the core of a poor's stock of £33 that was lent to George Yorke of Madeley Wood in the mid 18th century. (fn. 8) Payment of interest and distribution of the charity were last recorded in 1829, when it was known as 'York's legacy'. (fn. 9)

Alfred Purcell left the interest on £100 to the poor of Malinslee by will proved 1872. (fn. 10) The interest amounted to £2 13s. 4d. in 1912, when Purcell's charity became part of the Malinslee Consolidated Charities. (fn. 11)

By will proved 1887 William Slaney Lewis left the interest on £200 to be distributed in blankets and clothing to widows in Dawley, (fn. 12) and William Greenhalgh's will, proved 1892, left the interest on £100 to be apportioned equally between the parishes of Dawley Magna, Malinslee, and Little Dawley. (fn. 13) Both charities were included in the scheme that consolidated the charities of the three parishes in 1912.

In 1975 annual income from endowments comprised in the Malinslee, Little Dawley, and Dawley Magna Consolidated Charities was £14. (fn. 14)