About the Charity

 

The brief history is that in the 1600’s, the Rev. Joseph Bentham gifted a small endowment to form his charity. His purpose was to provide some support to those in need in the parish of Broughton. It was a gracious gift at the time as there was no assistance anywhere to support those who were falling on hard times.

The Rev Bentham was first appointed as parish priest at Weekley and became a bit of a controversial character publishing popular sermons however he gradually became associated with the Royalist cause as Civil War approached and ultimately was removed from the Church.

He was only able to return to the Church after the Restoration and ended his days at Broughton where he continued to write - his final book was in 1669.

Edward Hunt (1674), Mrs Elizabeth Henchman (1772), The Kinsman’s Charities (1786), Sarah Keyston (1841) and the Rt. Hon James Lord Douglas (1852) also left small endowments to benefit the poor and those in need.  Each of these small charities were subsequently combined in 1935 to what we have today under the Broughton Charities of Bentham & Others.

The generosity of these particular individuals in times gone by was magnificent and has no doubt been a real lifeline for some in desperate times.  We are very proud that the Charity has survived for so long covering four centuries and whilst times have changed, the Charity will continue to be relevant and will fulfil the original purpose of helping those Broughton residents who may find themselves at a time of need or support.

The Charity is formed currently with five Trustees and a Clerk. 

The Trustees and Clerk are entirely voluntary and receive no payment for their work connected with the Charity.