The Humfrey Charity
Bequest Board in Boughton Parish Church
Richard Humfrey of Boughton, in the County of Northampton, Gent.In a Will, dated 30 Novr in the year of our Lord 1547; left in trust for ever to the inhabitants of Boughton, an Estate situated in the parish of Pitsford, consisting of three tenements, with their closes and appurtenances, also certain Lands containing 48a 3r 2p together with the aftermath of 1a 3r in the great meadow of Pitsford. By a parliamentary commission in the year of our Lord 1637, it was decreed, that these Estates should not be leased for a longer term than nine years, and that no Feoffee should ever be allowed to become a tenant for the same.
That the Feoffees meet at a vestry, on St Thomas's Day, in every year to present to the inhabitants of Boughton an account of their receipts and disbursements, & when required, to give a copy of the accounts to the Lord of the Manor.
That whenever the number of Feoffees shall be reduced to six, or fewer, so many of the fittest inhabitants of Boughton, shall within six months be taken into Feoffment; as shall make up the number of twelve, three whereof are to be appointed by the Lord of the Manor, or in default of his nomination, by the surviving Feoffees.
The profits of the Estates are directed to be employed in repairing the highways & bridges, within the parish of Boughton, in payment of fifteenths, in relieving the impotent poor of the town of Boughton, for the time being setting the poor to work, and binding them apprentices; and the residue in repairing the Church and Chapel of Boughton.
