Saunders Wynn and Coventry Educational Foundation

A visit was paid to the Berkshire Records Office (BRO) on the 13th of August 2021. A total of 8 relevant files were examined over several hours and items of note were found.

In 1920 a tithe (a piece of Church land) delineated as 121 on the 1840 tithe map (which is in the Village Hall and is the property of the PC) was sold to realise funds to support the current vicar J Douglas Lord. This piece of land is to the west of Norris Lane and was a good-sized plot although no area is mentioned. Permission for this was given by the Dean of Westminster. It is clear from the archives that in those days the Church was omnipotent and could do whatever it decided to do.

The Saunders Wynn and Coventry (SWC) charities owned 50 acres of land in Lambourn at Foxbury Farm and ‘Free Woods’ by an ‘indenture’ enacted in 1650. This was an impressive document written in ‘copper plate’ on vellum (animal skin) with 7 large wax seals (the size of large conkers). Although written in English it was almost impossible to decipher in the time I had to examine it. Piece meal sale of this land took place over the years again to support the vicar and the school.

In the 1950’s the Parish Council, who had had this land transferred to them in the late 19th century when Parish Councils were formed and entrusted with charities by the newly formed Charity Commission, decided (because it was too much trouble to administer) to sell it for just £20 that was invested in M&G Bonds!

Moving to 1939 the SWC sold a small piece of land (2 poles) after having a pair of cottages below St Andrews School that had been condemned under the ‘Slum Clearance Act’ demolished. These were at the time rented out to a Mr Powell and a Mr Chaplain at 1 shilling per week and 1 shilling and sixpence per week, this is where the bus shelter is now sited. This very small piece of land was sold to Berkshire County Council (BCC) for £3. In the transfer BCC agreed to erect the metal ‘estate’ fence that still remains. The land was transferred under ‘Adverse Possession’ to the Parish Council in 2008. Interestingly a Mr Houblon of Boxford wrote several letters to the SWC at the time offering to buy the 2 cottages so that he could reconstruct them in 1936, however he was informed that the demolition order could not be rescinded.

During this time the BCC paid the rent (£8 per annum in 2 parts) for the School House occupied by Mrs Rowlands the teacher. The SWC also bought several tranches of ‘War Bonds’ which attracted an interest rate of 5% per annum. A total of £210,10 shillings and sixpence was spent in this way. These War Bonds were bought back by the Government and a reasonable return was achieved by the SWC.

Back in 1908 a stroppy letter was written in ‘green ink’ to Philip Wroughton (a SWC Trustee) by the Berkshire Education Committee maintaining that they would pay the rent for the school not to the Trust but to the school managers! During this time there was a letter from the Vicarage agreeing to rent the School House to Miss A Holland for £8 per annum. At the same time, I uncovered a letter from the occupant of 2 Tower Hill (next door to me at Tower Hill Cottage) asking to stay there and not to be transferred to the School House at £8 per annum (so, there were 2 families vying for the property). They asked that the Wroughton Estate provided them with wall paper if they agreed to apply it as the walls were very damp! Philip Wroughton allowed for the wall paper to be provided out of the first half yearly rent!

My visit was, I feel, very useful in understanding the workings of these 3 charities. However, I am saddened that Susannah Wynne who started the first part of this triumvirate of charities in 1710 was usurped by William Saunders who left his will in 1715 and Ruth Coventry who left her legacy in 1868. In August 1931 the charity was transferred to the Board of Education and there were just 4 trustees namely the Vicar 2 Parish Councillors and one BCC Member. My belief is that the charity should be renamed the Wynne Saunders and Coventry Trust to overcome the misogyny evident at that time.  Best regards, Grahame Murphy

CHADDLEWORTH CHARITY PLAQUE

[The plaque is 17ft 3in long and approx. 3ft deep and was hung in St. Andrew’s Church up to 30 years ago (Date now 24th May 2016)]

The Plaque has been in St Andrews School and in Chaddleworth House store area for a number of years. It is now back in St Andrews Church (but up very high so difficult to read). It was hand carved on oak many years ago circa 19th century. It describes all the Chaddleworth Charities as they were at the time in the language of the day. Now some of them have ceased to be (The Bakers, as the land was sold) and others have been amalgamated and changed in how they operate and also how the Trustees have been appointed'.

This is the first left panel written verbatim from the Plaque (not necessarily in current English usage and punctuation).

WILLIAM BAKER WILLIAM STANDBROOK JOHN BLANDY MARY STALLARD WIDOW.  ONE OF THE DAUGHTERS AND COHEIRS OF WILLIAM BAKER.  AND ROBERT JENNINGS AND JOAN HIS WIFE ANOTHER OF THE DAUGHTERS AND COHEIRS OF THE SAID WILLIAM WINTER. BY DEED DATED 1st JANUARY 1650.  GAVE AND GRANTED TO WILLIAM NELSON ESQr AND OTHERS THEREIN NAMED INHABITANTS OF THIS PARISH AND THEIR HEIRS CERTAIN LANDS LYING IN THE PARISH OF LAMBORN IN BERKS.  IN TRUST TO TAKE AND RECEIVE OUT OF THE ISSUES AND PROFITS THEREOF £1-6S-8P (L S D) Pr ANNUM.  AND TO APPLY THE SAME TOWARDS THE RELIEF OF THE POOR INHABITING THIS PARISH. 

This is the second from the left middle panel:

THE COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED BY AN ACT OF PARLIAMENT.  PASSED IN THE 51st YEAR OF GEO: THE 3rd BY THEIR AWARD DATED 26th MARCH 1813.  INROLLED BY HIS MAJESTY’S COURT OF KINGS BENCH.  ALLOTTED TO THE LORD OF THE MANOR OF CHADDLEWORTH AND THE VICAR.  AND CHURCH WARDENS OF THE PARISH OF CHADDLEWORTH FOR THE TIME BEING.  AN ALLOTMENT IN THE SHEEP COMMON CONTAINING TWELVE ACRES.  THEREIN PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED.  IN LIEU OF AND AS A FULL COMPENSATION FOR ANY RIGHTS WHICH THE POOR INHABITANTS OF THE SAID PARISH WERE INTITLED TO FOR ANY INDULGENCIES GRANTED TO THEM IN CUTTING AND TAKING AWAY FURZE.  BUSHES. THORNS OR TURF.  FROM ANY OF THE COMMONS OR WASTE GROUNDS.  DIVIDED AND ALLOTTED PERSUANT TO THE SAID ACT OF PARLIAMENT.  UPON TRUST TO LET AND LEASE THE SAID ALLOTMENT OR SO MUCH AS THEY SHOULD THINK FIT ANNUALLY OR OTHERWISE AND TO APPLY THE RENTS AND PROFITS ARISING THEREFROM IN PURCHASING APPAREL.  FUEL.  AND OTHER NECESSARIES AS THE SAID TRUSTEES OR THEIR SUCCESSORS OR THE MAJOR PART OF THEM AT THEIR DISCRETION SHOULD THINK FIT TO DISTRIBUTE AMONGST AND UNTO THE POOR INHABITANTS OF THE SAID PARISH.  OVER AND ABOVE ANY ALMS.  ALLOWANCE OR RELIEF WHATSOEVER.  WHICH THEY OR ANY OF THEM MIGHT RECEIVE FROM THE SAID PARISH.  OR OTHERWISE.  IN SUCH SHARES.  AND PROPORTIONS.  AND TO SUCH POOR FAMILIES.  AT SUCH TIME OR TIMES AND IN SUCH MANNER AS THE SAID TRUSTEES OR THE MAJOR PART OF THEM SHOULD THINK PROPER AND SO MUCH THEREOF AS SHOULD NOT BE SET OUT OR LET AS AFORESAID.  TO BE HELD USED AND APPROPRIATED BY THE SAID TRUSTEES FOR THE PURPOSE OF SOWING FURZE.  PLANTING WOOD.  AND OF CUTTING FUEL TO BE DISTRIBUTED AMONG THE POOR INHABITANTS OF THE SAID PARISH.  IN SUCH SHARES AND PROPORTIONS AND ACCORDING AND SUBJECT TO SUCH RULES.  ORDERS.  AND REGULATIONS AS THE SAID TRUSTEES FOR THE TIME BEING OR THE MAJOR PART OF THEM SHOULD APPOINT AND PRESCRIBE FOR THAT PURPOSE. 

This is the third on the right panel:

WILLIAM SAUNDERS GENT.  BY HIS WILL DATED JANUARY 23rd 1719.  GAVE LANDS LYING IN THE PARISH OF LAMBORN IN THIS COUNTY.  AND £560 (L): IN MONEY SINCE VESTED IN LANDS PURSUANT TO HIS DIRECTION.  LYING IN THE PARISH OF BRIGHTWALTON.  ALSO IN THIS COUNTY.  INTRUST FOR ENDOWING A SCHOOL AT CHADDLEWORTH.  FOR TEACHING 8 BOYS TO BE CHOSEN BY THE MINISTER AND CHURCH WARDENS OUT OF THE FOLLOWING PARISHES RESPECTIVELY.  TO READ WRITE AND CAST ACCOUNTS AND PROVIDING THEM YEARLY WITH COATS AND CAPS OF GREY CLOTH AND WITH SHOES AND STOCKINGS.  VIZ 2 BOYS OUT OF CHADDLEWORTH 2 OUT OF LECKHAMSTEAD IN THE PARISH OF CHIEVELEY 2 OUT OF BRIGHTWALTON.  1 OUT OF FAWLEY.  1 OUT OF GREAT SHEFFORD. 

This is written at the bottom of the panel from the left:

MRS SUSSANNA WYNNE BY HER WILL DATED JUNE 1st 1710 CHARGED HER ESTATES AT RAMSBURY IN THE COUNTY OF WILTS WITH THE PAYMENT OF £10 (L) PER ANNUM FOREVER FOR ENDOWING A SCHOOL TO BE KEPT AT CHADDLEWORTH FOR INSTRUCTING 10 POOR CHILDREN OF THIS PARISH TO BE CHOSEN BY THE MINISTER AND CHURCH WARDENS THEREOF.  ANNO MDCCCXV

This written on the bottom right of the panel:

THE SAID WILLIAM SAUNDERS ALSO BY HIS SAID WILL GAVE £5 (L) Pr ANNUM TO THE VICAR OF CHADDLEWORTH AND HIS SUCCESSORS FOR EVER.

Saunders Wynn and Coventry Educational Foundation

[note of 4th February 2015]

Made up of three charitable endowments:

Mr. William Saunders by will dated 23 Jan 1719. He directed his executor to purchase land for £560. Trustees to rent the land out to pay for a schoolmaster to teach two boys of Chaddleworth, two of Leckhampstead, one in the parish of Chieveley, two of Brightwatton, one of Fawley and one of Great Shefford to read, write and accounting. The boys were to be nominated by the minister and church wardens of the respective parishes and to be the sons of the poorest inhabitants who frequent the service of the church of England. Clothes to be provided. The school if kept at the vicarage. The school and master's house was built in 1823. In 1871 the master's house was enlarged.

In later years, in accordance with the original trusts, two boys belonging to Chaddleworth and two belonging to Leckhampstead (the other parishes mentioned in the will having failed for many years to send boys to the school) are provided at the end of each year of their attendance with a suit of blue cloth with brass buttons, a cap, and shoes and stockings, and on leaving the school with a corduroy working suit.

Mrs. Susannah Wynne by will dated 1 June 1710 gave an annuity of £10 to be paid out of her estate at Ramsbury to a schoolmaster, to be chosen by the minister and church wardens of Chaddleworth, for the instruction of ten poor children of that parish, to be also chosen by the minister and church wardens.

Ruth Coventry by her will dated 16 March 1868 bequeathed to the vicar and churchwardens of Chaddleworth a sum of money in trust to invest the same in Public Stocks or Funds of Great Britain and to apply the annual produce for the education and instruction of two poor children of the parish and to be called 'The Coventry Scholars".

British History Online

https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/berks/vol4/pp162-168

[note 23rd March 2023, charities part only – there is plenty more content]

A History of the County of Berkshire: Volume 4. Originally published by Victoria County History, London, 1924.

This free content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.

The school, founded and endowed in 1719 by will of William Saunders, now consists of a school and master's house erected upon a site conveyed by deed 14 June 1823, endowed with 50 acres in Lambourn known as Foxbury Farm and with 35 acres in Brightwalton, producing with the rent of the master's house about £95 a year. The official trustees also hold a sum of £133 10s. 5d. consols arising from accumulations of income, producing £3 6s. 8d. yearly.

 

Susannah Wynne, by her will 1710, gave £10 a year for the benefit of a schoolmaster, issuing out of the Marridge Hill estate at Ramsbury. (fn. 137)

In 1871 Ruth Coventry, by her will proved at Oxford 29 December, bequeathed £50, the income to be applied for the instruction of two poor children to be called 'The Coventry Scholars.' The legacy, less duty, is represented by £48 10s. consols with the official trustees, producing £1 4s. yearly.

The fuel allotment containing 12 acres was acquired in 1813 under an inclosure award for the benefit of the poor in lieu of their right in cutting furze or turf from the commons. The land is let at £11 a year, and is subject to a rectorial tithe rent-charge of £2 7s. a year. The net income is applied in the distribution of coal.

The poor are also entitled to a yearly sum of £1 6s. 8d. received out of land in the parish of Lambourn, comprised in a deed of 1 January 1650. The annuity is also applied in the distribution of coal.

By the award above mentioned an allotment of 2 rods situated in Buckham Field was made to the surveyors of the highways for furnishing gravel, &c., for the repairs of the roads of the parish.