AN ACCOUNT OF THE General Nursery, OR COLLEDG of INFANTS, Set up by the JUSTICES of PEACE FOR THE COUNTY of MIDDLESEX, With the Constitutions and Ends thereof.

LICENSED,

October 13. 1686.
R. L'Estrange.

LONDON: Printed by R. Roberts. 1686.

AN ACCOUNT OF THE General Nursery, OR COLLEDG of INFANTS, &c.

THERE is a large House at Clerkenwell, built near the Fields, which cost the several Parishes within this County of Middlesex, at least 5000 l. Building, which House is by the Ju­stices of the Peace for the County of Mid­dlesex, set a part for the Reception and Breeding up of poor Fatherless or Motherless Infants, left to the Parish care, and for the Instructing them in Religion and Virtue, and making them Capable of getting an honest Livelihood by their Labour.

1. There is a Governour, one of his Majesties Justices of the Peace for the County of Middlesex, to whose Care the said Justices have committed the General Nursery.

[Page 2]2. There is a Minister residing constantly in the Place, who Reads Prayers twice a day, before Dinner and Supper; he Catechises on Sundays, and sometimes preaches in the Afternoon; he sees that the Schoolmaster and all Inferi­or Servants do their several Duties, and that all the Chil­dren are well provided for, and instructed in true Religion and Virtue.

3. There is a Physitian, an Apothecary and Chyrurgion, who attend weekly, every Thursday, in their several ways, to take care of, and provide for the Children.

4. There is an excellent Writing-Master to Teach all the Children to Write, who also Registers the Names of all Chil­dren admitted and disposed of, and keeps all the Accounts of the House.

5. There is a School-Master, who Teaches all the Boys to Read, say their Prayers and Catechism; there are several other Persons of several Trades, to Teach the Children seve­ral sorts of Works, and bring them up therein.

6. There is a Porter, who looks to all the Children at Play, attends the Door, and Rings the Bell to Prayers, Dinner and Supper.

7. There is a Matron or House-keeper, who takes care for Provision to be brought into the House, and Dressing thereof, for the Family.

8. There is an Assistant to the Matron, who takes care of all the Childrens Cloaths, and of the Beds and Sheets, that all be mended and kept in good Order.

9. There is a School Mistriss for the Girls, to Teach them to Read, say their Prayers and Catechism.

10. There is a Semstress, who Teacheth all the Girls to Work, and make all the Linnen used in the House.

11. There is a Cook to Dress all Provisions according to the Matrons Order.

12. There is a Landress also, belonging to the House.

[Page 3]13. There is an old Nurse, to take care of all Sick and Weak Children, this Nurse hath her Assistants if need re­quires.

14. There are several Women to look after the Chambers, to Wash and keep Clean all the Lodgings, make the Beds, and to do other necessary Work there.

15. The Books are constantly made up every first Thurs­day in every Month, and all Officers and Tradesmen, and others, who are concerned in the House, are cleared off.

16. There is also a Register Book, kept to Register the Names of all Worthy Persons who shall be Benefactors to this good Work, and the same laid by for a time, to put the Children out with it, to Trades, as they grow fit; and the Justices of the Peace, once every year, at the Quarter Sessi­ons, next after the Feast of the Birth of our Lord, yearly have constantly an Account thereof.

A Proposal for the better Education of Infants.

ALtho many good Provisions have been heretofore made by the Charity of well-disposed Persons, for the Main­tenance and Education of Youth: Yet no Convenience or Education hath yet been thought on, or taken care of, for poor Infants, who can least provide for themselves, or be provided for.

For want whereof, many great Evils and Inconveniences are daily found, by the wilful and careless causing, or suffer­ing many Infants to perish, or to Suck in wicked and debauch­ed Principles, to the Ruin, as 'tis to be feared, often of their Souls, as well as Bodies.

Now for the remedying thereof, a General Nursery, or Infantory, is recommended by His Majesties Justices of the Peace, at the Quarter Sessions for Middlesex and Westminster, [Page 4] to the Inhabitants therein, as by their Orders at their seve­ral Sessions may appear.

And for that purpose, the Justices of the Peace of the County of Middlesex, have already disposed of, and appro­priated a great publick Building, at Clerkenwell (whose good Examples, 'tis hop'd, will soon be followed by others) and such Orders and Provisions are there already made, that Infants shall be there Received and Provoided for, with all manner of Necessaries, and be Taught to Read and Write, and be bred up in true Religion and Virtue.

And 'tis supposed, that when Persons are satisfied of the great Conveniences and Advantages of this Infantory or Nursery, many Charitable and Religious Persons will be Li­beral Benefactors thereunto, whereby the Charge of the Maintenance and Education of the Poor may be at least eas'd, if not wholly taken off.

But the Children first brought in, must first be provided for, out of such Charities.

Those who intend to give or leave any Sum of Money for the Provision of any Infant or Infants, may at the House be very well satisfied of the Fund of Land for the securing there­of, and for the putting out of such Children, or providing for them, when and in such way as shall be thought for their Advantage, or according to such Directions as the Charita­ble Benefactors shall direct.

For 50 l. a Child will be wholly provided for, bred up, put forth Apprentice, and 10 l. given him, when out of his time, towards setting him up, besides the benefit of the House.

For 120 l. a Child will be wholly provided for, bred up, put forth to a very good Trade, and have 100 l. given him to set up withal, when out of his Time.

And according to the Sum or Sums of Money, that shall be given or left for, or toward such Charity, the same being [Page 5] secured as above to their Satisfaction, the product shall be accounted for yearly, to the Justice of the Peace, in your Michaelmas Quarter Sessions, if no other Person or Persons be appointed by such Benefactor, to Oversee, and take such Ac­compt.

The great Conveniences and Advantages by this Nursery will be,

1. To the Fatherless and Motherless.

2. To the Poor; the Trouble and Charge of Breeding up such Infants, taking them much off from earning their Live­lihoods.

3. To all such whose Employments require, or cause their Absence from their Dwellings, as Seafaring Men, users of Fairs and Markets.

4. And to all such as would not otherwise keep Houses, unless it were for the Looking after, and Breeding up their Children.

It is also believed this Provision may prevent the great Trouble and Charge to all persons, by Children left and laid in the several Parishes.

Or that at least it may ease the Parishes, and their Officers, in Providing for, and Breeding up of their Parish Children.

And by this Education, we may be assured there will be better Subjects, better Masters, and better Apprentices and Servants, for all persons that shall need them.

And as this good Work takes, many other Proposals shall be made for the taking off, and wholly providing for In­fants, for small sums of Money, which shall be secured by certain and sufficient Funds.

The Rates propos'd for such Maintenance and Education are,

Twenty Shillings Entrance, which is for new Cloaths and Bedding.

[Page 6]And 3 s. a Week, for Meat, Drink, Cloaths, and all other things, for the future.

The Days to receive them, are Thursdays weekly, from Nine till Noon, at the Nursery or Infantory at Clerkenwell, &c.

But the Place and Accommodation being so much approved of by all that see it, and the Confluence of People thither on those days being great, for the greater ease and dispatch to the business, It is desired that all Persons approving of the Ʋndertaking, will come and bring in their Children on the Mondays before, and leave the Name and Age of the Child with the Officer, who is appointed to attend there on those days to that purpose.

Note, That you may take the Child away at any time, when you have an Opportunity of a better Provision for it, and the new Cloaths with it.

A COPY of the several ORDERS of SESSIONS, made at MIDDLESEX and WESTMINSTER, for the better Encouragement of the General Nursery or Colledge of Infants, lately Established at Clerkenwell. With a Copy of a Letter written from the Justices to the Ministers and Church-Wardens of the several Parishes within the said County, after they had been to view the same, since it was put in Practice this last Quarter Sessions.

Middl. ss. Ad Generalem Sessionem Pacis Dom. Regis tent. pro Com. Midd. apud Hicks-hall in St. John-street in com, praed’ die Lunae scil. Vicesimo secundo die Fe­bruarii Anno Regni Regis Jacobi Secundi nunc An­gliae, &c. secundo.

THe Justices of Peace for the County of Middlesex ha­ving observed great Inconveniences for the loose way of breeding up of Parish Children, whereby very few of [Page 7] them come to good; for the remedying whereof, they have at their Quarter Sessions, ordered a great part of the Corpora­tion-Workhouse at Clerkenwell for their Reception, and the same is fitted up for that purpose, and excellent Rules and Methods are there taken for their Education in true Religion and Virtue; and the care thereof is committed to Sir Thomas Rowe Knight, one of His Majesties Justices of the Peace for the same County. And that the Benefits and Advantages thereby may be seen and found, for the putting the same in Practice (having considered the Extent and Condition of the several Parishes) they do hereby Order the Church-Wardens and Overseers of the Poor in the several Parishes here undermentioned, on or before the 18th day of March next ensuing, to send the Proportion of Children hereafter specified, out of such Parish Children as they now have in their respective Parishes.

  • St. Giles in the Fields, Five.
  • St. Andrew Holborn, Five.
  • St. James Westminster, Five.
  • St. Margaret Westminster, Five.
  • St. Martin in the Fields, Six.
  • St. Paul Covent Garden, Four.
  • St. Clement Danes, Five.
  • St. Mary le Savoy, Three.
  • Roles Liberty, Two.
  • St. James Clerkenwell, Five.
  • St. Giles Cripplegate, Five.
Per Cur. Smith.
Westm. ss. Ad Generalem Quarterialem Sessionem Pacis Dom. Regis tent, apud Westminst. pro Libertat. Decani & Capituli Ecclesiae Collegiatae beati Petri Westm. Civit. Burgi ac Ville Westm. in Com. Middl. & Sancti Mar­tini le Grand, London. die Mercurii scil. Septimo die Aprilis, Dom. Anno Regni Regis Jacobi Secundi, secundo.

UPon the reading of the Order mentioned on the other side of this Paper, and upon Consideration thereof, this Court are of Opinion, That the Method and Means to [Page 8] the purpose within specified, are very commendable, and ought to be encouraged for the better Education of Parish-Children in the Knowledg and Fear of God; and therefore they do concur with the Order already made on the other side; and further, they do Order that there be a further Proportion of Children, as hereafter specified, sent out of the Parishes here under mentioned, and do recommend the speedy doing thereof, to the care of the Church-Wardens and Overseers of the Poor of the said Parishes. And do further Order, That all other Church-Wardens send out of the Pa­rishes within their Liberty, such their Proportions as are en­joyned them by the said Order, without delay.

Per Cur. Hardisty.
  • The Parish of St. Ann Westminster, Five.
  • The Parish of St. James Westminster more than on the other side, Three.
  • St. Margaret Westminster, more Three.
  • St. Martins in the Fields, more Three.
  • St. Paul Covent-Garden, Two.
  • St. Clement Danes, Two.
  • St. Mary Savoy, One.

And as many more as the Church-Wardens of the several Parishes within this Liberty shall think convenient to send.

Hardisty.
Middl. ss. Ad Generalem Sessionem Pacis Dom. Regis tent. pro Com. Middl. apud Hicks-hall in St. John-street in Com. praed’ die Lunae scil. Tricesimo die Augusti Anno Regni Regis Jacobi Secundi nunc Angliae, &c. se­cundo.

UPon reading the Return made by the Justices of Peace of the Tower Hamblets, and upon their appro­ving of the usefulness of the General Nursery at Clerkenwell [Page 9] in this County, and upon their desire that His Majesties Ju­stices of the Peace here assembled, should nominate a Pro­portion to be sent out of the Tower Hamblets; and the said Justices of Peace here Assembled, having inspected the said House of Nursery; and being more and more satisfied, not only by their view, but by the general Approbation and Charracter of every Person that hath seen and tryed the same. It is thought fit, and ordered by this Court, That the Inhabitants of every Hamblet and Precinct in the said Tower Division, doth send five Children at the least, and as many more as the Justices of that Division shall appoint, and the Church-Wardens and Overseers of every respective Hamblet and Precinct in the said Division, are required to send the same accordingly.

Per Cur. Smith.
Middl. ss. Ad Generalem Quarterialem Sessionem Pacis Dom. Regis tent. pro Com. Middl. apud' Hicks hall in St. John-street, in Com. praed’ die Lunae, Quinto die Julii Anno Regni Regis Jacobi Secundi nunc Angliae, &c. secundo.

THis Court having considered of the Advantages to the publick, by a General Nursery, or Colledg for Infants, and therefore appropriated a great part of the County Work­house at Clerkenwell; and did also for the putting the same in Practice, appoint several Children to be brought there­into, out of the several Parishes within this County near adjoyning to the City of London; and it being found by experience a very useful and advantagious Design for the publick Good, and very well liked and appoved of by all Persons that have been to see the same: This Court doth [Page 10] therefore Recommend the same to His Majesties Justices of the Peace, of the several Country Divisions in this County, desiring them to impart the Convenience thereof to the Church-Wardens and Overseers of the Poor of their several Divisions, and that they do send two at the least out of every Parish without the Weekly Bills of Mortality within this County, and such further number of Children out of e­very Parish in their said Divisions, as to them the said Justices shall be thought most meet and convenient.

Per Cur. Smith.

Divers of the Church-Wardens and Overseers of the Poor of the several Parishes, having according to the Orders sent in their Children; have subscribed this Address to the Bench of Middlesex.

Midd. ss. WE the Church-Wardens and Overseers of the several Parishes (appointed by the Sessions of Peace of this County to send some of our poor Parish Children to the Infantory or Colledg of In­fants at Clerkenwell) do find it not only a great Convenience to our several Parishes, but a very great Advantage to the poor Children, they being provided for, and Educated much beyond the Ima­ginations of any Persons that do not go to see them, and to the great Satisfaction of all that do; And we return our humble Thanks to the Sessions for the Encouragement they have already given to this good Work. And as much as may become us, do hum­bly desire the further Assistance of this Court, for the promoting and supporting thereof; And we likewise find that the Matron of the said House doth very diligently and carefully perform her Duty.

Middl. ss. Ad Generalem Sessionem Pacis Dom. Regis tent. pro Com. Middl. apud Hicks-hall in St. John-street, in Com. praed’ die Lunae scil. Tricesimo die Augusti Anno Regni Regis Jacobi Secundi nunc Angliae, &c. secundo.

WE the Grand Jury at Hicks-hall, Sworn this present Ses­sions for the Body of the County of Middlesex, going to see this publick House, or the General Nursery, or Colledg of Infants, did examine and inspect into the Methods and Rules thereof, and we find that all the Children there, are well Lodged, well Cloathed, kept Neat and Clean, taught to Read and Write, and well instructed in the Religion of the Church of England, as it's now Established by Law. And we find that by such Education, both the Bodies and Souls of many Infants will be preserved, and many great Evils prevented, which daily happen in this County. And we find it a great Advantage and Convenience to the several Parishes, and that it is a very charitable and exceeding good Work. And we return our humble and hearty Thanks to the Justices of the Peace for this County, for the Encouragement they have already given it. And we humbly desire the further Assistance of this Court for the supporting and promoting thereof.

  • William Holden, Foreman.
  • William Davis
  • William Sanders
  • William Munden
  • John Ilford
  • William Loughton
  • Charles Munden
  • John Thorley
  • Hugh Buxton
  • Henry Barret
  • Robert Drinkwater
  • Thomas Brumwick
  • Davenant Sherborne
  • Lawrence Wright
  • Thomas Rayner
  • Robert Munden.
Middl. ss. Ad General. Quarterialem Sessionem Pacis Dom. Registent. per adjornament. pro Com. Midd. apud Hicks-hall in St. Johnstreet, in Com. praed’ die Martis scil. tertio decimo die April. Anno Regni Regis Jacobi Secundi nunc Angliae, &c. secundo; coram Roberto Clerk, Mil. Joh. Reresbey, Mil. & Bar. Jacobo Dewy, Willielmo Bridgman, Ca­rolo Bonithon, Simone Parry, Thoma Hariot, Richardo Price, Carolo Hinton, Francisco Knol­lys, Petro Lugg, Thoma Smith, Galfrido Nightin­gale, Armig. & al. sociis suis Justic’ dict’ Dom’ Re­gis ad Pacem. in Com. praed’ conservand’ necnon ad divers. felon. transgress. & al. Malefacta in eodem Com. perpetrat. audiend’ & terminand’ assign’.

HIS Majesties Justices of the Peace abovementioned, having observed the loose and idle way of breeding up of the Parish Children in this County, and that very few of them come to good, by reason that in their first be­ginning of Life, they suck in wicked and debauched Prin­ciples; for the Prevention whereof, and that for the future they who are bred up at the publick charge, may be instru­cted in true Religion and Virtue, they have at their Gene­ral Quarter Sessions appropriated a great part of their Cor­poration Work-house for their Reception, where there are Rules and Methods used for the better Breeding up of those Children which are sent thither. And the said Justices having been to view the same this present Sessions, do very well approve thereof, now the same is put into Practice. And whereas the said House hath been fitted up at the great Charge of some few Persons to make trial for the receiving of such as shall be sent thither; but if the said House shall [Page 13] Increase, as they the said Justices have reason to believe it will, it may conduce much to the publick Good: For the better Encouragement thereof, it is commended by the said Justices to all Persons whatsoever in this County, to give their Assistance towards the carrying on of this good Work. And the said Justices do desire the Ministers and Church-Wardens of the several Parishes, Hamblets and Precincts in this County, to commend the same in their respective Parishes, Hamblets and Precincts.

Per Cur. Smith.
To the Ministers and Church-Wardens of the respective Parishes, Precincts and Hamblets, in this County of Middlesex.
FINIS.
June 30. An. 3. Jacobi Regis.

The Grand Jury having been to view the Colledg of In­fants, made this Presentment.

Midd. ss WE the Grand Jury sworn for the County of Middlesex, this present Midsummer Sessions, do present, That the General Nursery or Colledg of Infants, is one of the best and most charitable works that has for these many years been set on foot; and we find by what we now see, and by the Character which is every where given of it, That the Children are well educated in Re­ligion and Virtue, and provided for with all things necessary; and we are convinced that this way of Education will prevent many great evils which are now daily practiced by breeding up of youths; and we are of opi­nion that the Church-Wardens and Over­seers cannot do a more Charitable deed with their publick money, than by sending their Infants to that place; for incouragement whereof we humbly thank the Justices of Peace: And we desire, That they will in their several Stations and Places order their Officers of their several Parishes to send their Infants to the said Nursery to be maintained at the publick Charge.

  • [Page 2]Richard Robins, Foreman.
  • Edward Hamstead
  • Thomas Smith
  • Thomas Lord
  • Thomas Long
  • John Coep
  • Robert Harridge
  • Richard Savidg
  • John Dodd
  • Thomas Barker
  • Thomas Harris
  • George Stead
  • William [...]hild
  • John Farmer
  • Matthew Horton
  • William Clapshaw
  • John Hartwell.

The Justices of the Peace for the County of Mid­dlesex upon many Complaints taking into their Con­sideration the loose and evil way of the breeding up of the poor Fatherless and Motherless Children com­mitted to the publick Care, and that few or none came to good, did appropriate some part of their Cor­poration Work-house for their Reception, that an Experiment might be made of a more regular method and better way for the breeding up, and disposing of these poor Infants:

And according as they found it good in Effect and Practice, either to dissolve it, or carry on the same.

To that purpose by their Order at their General Quarter Sessions they appointed a small proportion out of every Parish to be sent thither, that they might see whether the Proposals when put into practice were in themselves good and advantageous for the publick; and Westminster Sessions made the like Order upon proposidg of it there.

Now all the Parishes did comply with the said Or­der, and do very much approve the same, but St. Cle­ment Danes, whose proportion being but 5 Children which charge would have amounted but to 2 s 6 d. per week more than now they pay, for that reason only [Page 3] did absolutely refuse to obey the Order of the Quar­ter Sessions, and would send none thither, tho they at discretion gave away 2708 l. 16 s. 05 d. in the 7 years. Upon which this Order was made.

Middl. ss. Ad Generalem Sessionem Pacis Dom. Regis tent. pro Com. Middl. apud Hicks-hall in St. John-street in Com. praed’ die Lunae scil. Sexto die Decembris, Anno Regni Regis Jaco­bi Secundi nunc Angliae, &c. secundo.

WHereas the Church-Wardens and Overseers of the poor of the Parish of St. Clement Danes, in this County, have been summoned to attend his Court this present Sessions to shew how many poor Children of the said Parish they have put out to be Apprentices at the charge of the said Parish for the space of seven years last past, and their names, as also the names of the persons to whom they put them Ap­prentices, and the places of their abode, and what money they gave with them, and what is now become of the said Apprentices: And the said Officers have attended this Court, but have not given any satisfacto­ry Account to this Court, in the Premises, but desired time; It is therefore thought fit and Ordered by this Court, That it be, and it is hereby recommended to Sir Thomas Rowe, Kt. John Phelips, Esq, Tho. Done, Esq, Simon Parry, Esq, Richard Price, Esq, and Peter Lugg, Esq, his Majesties Justices of Peace of this County, or to any two or three of them; to cause the said Church-Wardens and Overseers of the poor of the said Parish, and such other persons as they [Page 4] think convenient to come before them, and examine the said Officers and Persons concerning the disposal of the said Parish Children for Seven years last past, and what is now become of them. And the said Ju­stices are hereby further desired to make a Report to this Court, in Writing under their hands, how they shall find the true state of the Premises, and how they shall find the Muster-Roll of the Parish Children in the said Parish, at the General Sessions of the Peace to be held for this County, next after Hillary Term now next ensuing.

The Report. Whereas by an Order made at last Christmas Quarter Sessions, it was desired and referred to Sir Thomas Rowe Knight, John Phelips Esq and several other his Majesties Justices for the said County to Examine what Children the Parish of St. Clements Danes have had under their care for Seven years past, and how many of them have been put forth Ap­prentices; and what charge the Parish hath been at with the said Children, and how many of them now are in being.

We the said Justices do Report as followeth, That we inspected the said Books, and do find that in the year 1679. there were then at the charge of the Pa­rish, 89 Children; of which 16 were Foundlings, all Clements: And we find there hath been added to the charge of the Parish 110 in the following Six years, in all 199. of which 51. are Clements, Children laid in the streets.

We find that of these 55. hath been put forth to Apprentice, and that there are now in being 32 of the said 55. only.

And we find that there now remains of Children at the charge of the Parish, 58. of which 13. are Cle­ments.

[Page 5]And of the Apprentices living, 32, of which 3 are Clements. In all 90.

We find that the Officers have ex­pended for Nursing these Children, in the Seven years last past. 1943.l. 09.s. 0.d.

And for Binding forth the Apprentices 0109.l. 08.s. 0.d.

In all. 2052.l. 17.s. 0.d.

And we further find that they have given away on Extraordinary Charges at their pleasure, some of which are for the Children. 2708.l. 16.s. 05.d.

All which we submit to this honourable Court. Tho. Rowe. Jo. Phelips. Peter Lucy. Sim. Parry.

1. Note that Seven years ago, the Parish had 89. Children; and that 110. have been since added, in all 199. of these Apprentices accounted in, there is but 90. left. So that 109 are lost and dead, in the said Seven years, or never were,

Though payed for in their Books.

2. Note that of 55. bound out Apprentices in these Seven years last past, which cost the Parish 109. l. 8. s. there is only left 32.

And how many of the 32. will stay to serve out their Time, is to be enquired further off.

3. Note that 51. of the 110. were Foundlings, all Clements, laid in the Parish, in Six years last; and so take the name of Clement, from the Parish, and 16. were then there, in all 79. the first year of the Inspection, in all 97. now only 3. are bound out Apprencies, and 13. [Page 6] are left, the first number 16. and 51. all Clements add­ded, are all lost and dead; now the Parish-Books have been searched how many were Christned of these Foundlings, or Clements, or buried; and very few ap­pear upon the Register: It is questionable if they ever were all there, though payed for.

It is much that 51 should die out of 67. in Seven year.

The particuler Money payed for Nursing of these Children, is 1943. l. 9. s. 0. d. in Seven year. Now judg if well disposed.

October the 15. Anno. 30. Jacobi Regis. Midd ss

WE the Grand Jury sworn for the Body of the County of Middlesex, this present Michaelmas Sessions, having been to view and inspect the College of Infants, set up by the Justices of the Peace for this County, do present, That it is a very advan­tageous and an exceeding Good work useful to the Publick, and a thing that will give much ease to the several Parishes of this Coun­ty, if they send their Children thither, and prevent many evils which daily increase by the Ways and Methods as the Officers now use; and it will prevent many Cheats put up­on the several Parishes by paying for Children which have been a long time dead, and for many which never were, and give a great sa­tisfaction to all persons, in passing the Officers Accounts of the several Parishes; and it will be a great ease to the Officers, for there they may at any time see them together, which when placed at a distance, and in several [Page 7] places, it will take much time and expence to perform; it will be a great ease in the Charge, for these Children placed in the Ge­neral Nursery, will be taken from the Parishes without charge, for their Education sake; and the Parishes will save 3.4 or 5 l. a piece, by giving Money to Bind them Apprentices, and providing Cloathes for them, and by gi­ving an Addition of Money when any are sick, all which is by this Provision saved to the se­veral Parishes; and we do for our selves and the whole County whom we represent, give our humble thanks to the Justices of Peace of this County, for their setting a foot so good a work; And we give our hearty thanks to Sir Thomas Rowe for his great care in the prudent ma­nagement thereof, and desire that they will encourage the same by sending thither so ma­ny of the Parish Children as the House can receive, for we conceive the Officers of the several Parishes cannot better provide for their poor Infant Children, nor can the Pub­lick Money raised for that purpose, be better imployed, than by paying for their Infant-Children in that place.

  • [Page 8]Francis Brown, Foreman
  • John Smith
  • Henry Anger
  • John Sharp
  • William Watkins
  • Thomas Merriot
  • Thomas Harding
  • Amor Oxley
  • Thomas Woodward
  • Thomas Knight
  • Thomas Fryer
  • John Jordan
  • Christopher Ingleton
  • John Houshaw
  • Thomas White
  • John Bowden
  • Richard Piggat.

The advantages that all persons will receive by this College of Infants.

1. By breeding the Parish Children in this way, they will be taken for Apprentices to very good Trades, or Servants for their Education sake; and the Parishes save the Money they now give with them, and the Cloathes they provided.

2. There is no accidental Charge, can be charged upon them by the Officers of the Parishes either for Sickness, Cloathes, or any other accident, the 3. s. per Week, being the whole charge in the College, and thereby the accidental Book of the Parish will be much lessened.

3. No Child can be payed for, that is not, nor any longer than they are alive; and the Officers of the Parishes will with much more ease and satifaction adjust their Accounts when they produce an Acquit­tance from the House for a Voucher.

[Page 9]4. There will not be so many Children exposed to the Parish as now are, for it is believed that one half of the Children left to the Parish in the Streets, are more to save credit and trouble given by Parish Offi­cers about security, than for want of 3 s. per Week to pay for them, had they a conveniency as in the College.

Here the Widower may settle his Children, and go to the Indies for a Soldier, or any place where he pleaseth.

The Widow may do the like.

The young man who by Folly is extravagant, may, having placed it here, be free from the opportunity of further Folly, by the Womans coming after him for Maintenance, which many times is the occasion of getting more and greater evils.

The Tradesman may leave off House-keeping, ha­ving here provided for his Child, and may see it every Day without trouble or more charge.

The dying man may be sure of a Provision for his Child, for leaving 50 l. to the House, his Child is taken care of, put forth Apprentice, and shall have 10 l. out of the 50 l. to set up withal; what more he leaves, is to be accounted for every year to the Justi­ces at every Christmas Sessions, if he by Will leaves no body else, and the Interest made Principal, and a good Fund in Land is now setled for the performance here­of, and at the house they may be satisfied therein; and a man may find many persons who will see this done, to whose care if the Money and Child were left, the Money might be lost and spent, and the child come to the Parish.

[Page 10]And for such as are not willing to engage any per­son for Security, they may leave a caution of Money in the House, and have the Fund setled for Security, the Surplusage returned when they take away the child, the usual Rate of the House being first paid, and no Questions asked whose the child is, or whence it came.

FINIS.

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