Account of the Poor Fund and Other Charities Held in Trust by the Old South Society, City of ...

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Preface

I SHALL, Without apologizing, use the words of a preface to the Parliamentary Commissioners* inquiry concerning the " Endowed Charities of the City of London," they being more appropriate to the object in view than any I could offer as a justification for this publication. The compiler of that work says, —

" The present ago cannot be more sensitively alive to the calls of humanity than our forefathers were. Every species of misery met its appropriate relief But, in numberless instances, the all-changing hand of time has counteracted the pious intentions of these honorable benefactors. The variations of trustees^, the inattention of the proper officers, the almost criminal heedlessness of some, the absolutely criminal peculation of others, the misappropriation or even the embezzlement of the resources of an immense number of these in-* stitutions, public changes or private vicissitudes, — have occasioned their being diverted to puqjoses never intended or contemplated by the liberal and benevolent peraons by whom they were originally planned, established, and endowed. Of these charities the nation itself is trustee : shall it through insensibility become heedless of this trust ? shall it through careless indolence neglect this trust? shall it through unfeeling indifference abandon this trust ? shall it through avarice violate this trust? Humanity forbids it. Conscience forbids it. Mercy forbids it. Justice forbids it. Christianity forbids it. lleceived from our ancestors, we must transmit them to our posterity, undiminished, uninjured; and the only permissable alteration is, that they may be increased according to increase of means and of wants. If all such institutions had been

IV perfectly well condactod, faithfully administered, and fully enjoyed by tliose whose wants justly constitute them the recipients of such munificent bounties, a work like the present would have been of no use, except as an incentive to others to continue adding to the funds of beneficence, as the increasing numboi's and wants of the population would still demand an increase of relief; but, under present circumstances, a different, a more urgent necessity appeal's, — to assist the public, to whom the endowments belong, in obviating the effect of any further defalcation of these revenues, in preventing any ulterior misappropriation of these beneficial resources, to constitute every individual a guardian of those supplies, which, whatever may be his present circumstances or future prospects, he knows not but may hereafter be the source of his future well-being, or of others near and dear to him, who, by the unforeseen occurrences of which every day shows examples, may hereafter rely on those very institutions which are now upheld by his own disinterested endeavora.''

How far the above may be strictly applicable to the poor-fund

and other property in possession of the Old South Society I will

not at present undertake to say, but think the general principles

embodied in the quotation are worthy of profound consideration

.by all who take an interest in the affaira of that institution.

C N T E N T S.

CHATTER I.

PAQB.

Anihoriiies referred to in ibis Ck>mpilatioii. — Finding the Deaoon's Account-Book. — Nathaniel Cunningham's Bstate, and lawsuit to recover it 9

Chapter II

Resolution offered for Adoption at Annual Meeting of Old South Proprietors.— Mrs. JNorton's ami other Charities.— Pious and Chnritablo Fund. — Ministers' Widows' andClilldrcu's Fund.— Josiah WlUnrd.— Dr. Wisncr 10

• CHAPTER III'

Sacramental Collections. — Their Discontinuance. — Money paid to Minlfltcrs.- Remark upon the Administration of the Sacrament. — Mode of keeping Accounts. — Uclief of Poor. — Church or Poor-fund Stock. — Ministers' Pay. — Church Delegates.— Funds of Society 20

Chapter IV

Mrs. Norton's Gift of Laud. — Building of Stores proposed.— Committee of Year 1800. — Report of Church Stock. — Treasurer Phillips, Seu.'s, Account of tlie same.— Treasurer Hubbard's 1701 Account of Church-Stock.— Proceedings for the Erection of Stores. — History of Part of the Stocks belonging to Poor-Fund . . .33

Chapter V

Theophilus Parsons's and Jeremiah Mason's Opinions.- Mrs. Norton's Decdanc^ Will. —Dr. Blagden's Relinquishment of Parsonage-House.- Mr. Manning's Non-relinquishment 44

Chapter VI

Poor-Fund.- Account of $6,24(>.00, Amount of Ix)au to the Society.- Parish- Houses Proposed.- Vote of Society to borrow Poor-Fund. — Minltfters' and Treasurer Phillips's (Trustees) Obligation to Loan f 14,000 to pay for Houses. — Extraordinary Report respecting the f 5,245.00 due from the Society. — Cost of Parsonngc- Houses. — Account of Stocks fuminhed fVom the Poor. — Amount of Society'^ Indebtedness to Fund 61

VI

CHAPTBB VII.

Millc-Street Stores. —Amount of ProAt made by their Erection. — Non-porformance of TruHtee-Duties by Ministers. — Relief to Poor only granted to Church-members. — Ckinditions of tlie Poor- Fund Bequests.— Mrs. Norton's Conditions as to Ministers' Houses. — Society's Rights in the Parsonage -Houses. — Trustees' I^owers and Duties. — Mistakes in tlio Use of Property. — Present Value of it. — Dangers arising firom its Wrong Use 68

Chapter XI

Poor Fund as a Public Charity. —Regret at Small Amount Awarded.— Deacons' Book Account.— Accounts Arom 1708 to 1765.— General Accounts.— Extracts Arom Old Accounts of the Church. — Ministers' Pay.— Collections and Assessments on Pews. — £102 Loan to Ministers.— Pious and Charitable Fund.— Thomas Hubbard and William Phillips, Sen. — Discontinuance of Sacramental Collections. — Mingling of Funds. — Old South Stores.— Eckley and Huntington ParsonaKO-Houscs.- Mrs. Norton's Real Estate Gift.— Accounts of Pious and Ctiaritable Fund.— Church Stock of 1701, 1700. — Particular Account of the £180.10«.8^r<., " Sacnuneutul Balance;" and also of the "Interest, £110.14s.8J<l., Account."— General History of the Poor- Fund.— Parsonage-House Rent.— Responsibility of the Old South for the Whole Fund.- Utter Uselessness of the Decision as to the True Amount due the Poor .' 128

CHAPTER Xn.

Rcsull of Examination.- Trustees' Obllgiition. — Regret of Lawsuit. — Conduct of Members of the Old South.— Extraordinary Preaching by one of tlio Ministers.- More Extraordinary Records of tlio Standing Coiumtttce.— Remarks on the Trial. -Removal of the Poor-Fund.- Gratitude to the Memory of its Founders.— Duties devolving upon eacli Member of tlie Society. —Spiritual Iutere^t of the Church.— Advantages and Dangers in Example. — Public Charities of McLean andPeabody. — Committees for Examination of l*ublic Charities ia ICngland. — Their Success. — Necessity of similar Exaniinatlon here 13V)

APPENDIX, No. 1, 161. Deacons Uuok 15:

OLD SOUTH POOR FUND.

THE POOR FUND.

Chapter I

Authorities referred to in this Compilation. — Finding the Deacon^s Account-Boole. — Nathaniel Cunningham*s Estate, and Lawsuit to recover it.

Thb authorities relied upon to substantiate the facts in this relation arc tlie Church Records from 1705, and tlio Standing Committee's Records, together with those of the Probate both of Suffolk and Middlesex. To the last, reference can be readily had, as the folio, leaf, and date are noted for that j)urj)osc. These alone would furnish suflicient proof of the existence of a poor-fund, oven if the Deacon's Cash-Book, which was supposed to be in-ecoverably lost, had never been found. In that book, all the accounts relative to the charities were accurately kept for nearly a century. This book, after being missing for a long time, was found in the law-office of the late Abraham Moore, Esq., by his son, who presented it as an antiquarian curiosity to his friend and classmate, the Rev. Caleb I^avis Bradlee, and was by him deposited in the New-England Historic- Genealogical Society, from whence it reverted to the Old South Society. As Mr. Moore was c6nnected by marriage with a descendant of Nathaniel Cunningham, Esq., he thereby became interested in a suit at law brought to recover some lands formerly owned by that person. It is quite probable that the book was obtained from the Old South Society to furnish some proof in the case, as Mr. Cunningham was an influential member of the Old South, and bequeathed a considerable legacy to the poor-fund. This suit was brought some fifty ycara ago, and the lands in question are thus described in the inventory of Mr. N. Cunningham's estate : ^ A house, and eight and two-thirds acres of land, at the bottom of the Common." In 1812, after previous protracted law proceedings, the case was closed by a quit-claim deed to Messrs. Otis, Mason, and Joy, from Susannah Cunninghaip, of the land in question. This land must have embraced within its bounds a portion of the Common, and Beacon Street extending to Cambridge Street, including the site of the " Old Powder House."

Chapter II

Resolution ofTerod for Adoption at Annual Mooting of Old Sontli Proprietors. — Mrs. Norton's and other Charities.— Pious and Ohturitahle Fund. — Ministers* NVidows* and Children's Fund. — Josiah Willard. — Dr. Wisnor.

Ik the year 1858, at a special business-meeting of the Old Soutli Society, the following motion was made : —

" Whereas doubts have been expreOsaed as to the regularity of certain proceedings of this Corporation, and whereas it is important that all legal forms should carefully be observed in the management of the valuable property held in trust for religious and charitable purposes, it is therefore voted, Tliat a Committee of five be appointed to investigate the past pi^oceedings of this Corporation, and all matters which may allcct the legality of the ]>rcseut or past doings of its oflicers, or seem to be in any degree a departure from a strictly lawful and economical administration of said trust, to report the result of their examination at a special meeting of the Tew rroprietors, to be called by said Committee for that purpose, and to propose such measures as they may deem to be expedient in the premises. And the said Committee is hereby empowered to take the advice of legal counsel with relation to such questions and mattci-s as they may think proper/*

This motion, at that and a subsequent meeting, was defeated in such A manner as to raise some doubts of the motives of so determined and persistent an opposition to an inquiry only offered in view of correcting any past errors which might thereby bo discovered, and adopting measures for future action confonnable to tho obligations of law, and more consistent witli tho present financial condition of tho Old South Church and Society. In January, 18r)0, a ]»ul>lication was issued, and distributed to those conconied in the afHiirs of this institution, inviting their attention to many depaitures from correct business-principles practised by the government of the Society, in which a remark was made ^^ that the Ministers' and Deacons' Fund may prove a most important subject for consideration, both to the Society and tho Trustees." Subsequently the identical old Account-Book, kept by the Deacons of the Old South Society, was found ; by the aid of which a clear, full, and complete invcsti-

•

gatioii of the whole of this important matter could be made. This invahiablo book, k5pt by the respective Deacons and Treasurers of the Old South Society from 1708 to 1798, contains a very particular and accurate account of the numerous charities bequeathed in trust to the Old South Church Ministera and Deacons officially, to whom the income was to be given ; the manner in which the fund was kept, invested, and augmented ; the rise and progress of the "Church Stock;" amount of sacramental and other contributions and collections; and the periodical settlement of correct audited accounts. There is but little doubt that the absence of this book might, in some degree, be the cause why the Poor Fund of the Old South had well-nigh passed among the things ** lost upon earth." Still it was not by any means the whole cause ; for an inspection of the church-records from tlic earliest period wherein the entries were made, by those eminent men, Drs. Sewall and Prince, and othei*s, furnishes full and abundant evidence as to the particulars of that trust. It is therefore believed, that, had the motion for a committee of investigation been carried, the Society would have been spared the consequences, be they what they mJiy, resulting from the institution of legal proceedings, which a sense of duty towards a portion of much-wronged pei-sons called for.

The aflaii-s of the Old South Society, so far as they may be connected directly or indirectly with all the Trust Property,, will bo now considered.

The first in magnitude, being the foundation of all the property now under consideration, is

Mrs. Mary Norton's Charity.

This comprises all the land upon which the five stores in Washington Street, — erected A.D. 1800, — and the Old JSouth Church, now stand, also that upon which the three stores in Milk Street stand. As this part of the property is so intimately connected with the financial transactions of A.D. 1800, its further history will be much better understood by a reference to events of that period.

It may not be improper here to state, that the Old South Chapel, in Spring Lane, now joined to the Norton property, was not obtained by the original gift, but from purchase, in A.Di 1816 and 1819, by the Society ; who must have derived the means of so doing from the income of the Norton estate and improvements, as there is no other visible way that they could have paid for it. Consequently, that is as much a part of the Trust Property as any other part of tlie property no\^ in the possession of the Old South Society. The next procedure will be to give an account of the charities bestowed by sundry peraons, with extracts from their wills, all of which, with t,he exception of one (Mrs. Mills's), arei*egistered in the records of Suffolk Probate Court, the lib. and fol. of which are noted for reference.

JouN Bolt's Cuauity.

Will proved April 20, 1711 ; lib. 17, fol. 34. " Item, I give and bequeath unto the Poor, being communicants of the South Church in Boston aforesaid, the sum of Twelve Pounds, current money of New England, to be paid unto the Deacons of said Church for the use of said Poor." Cash received and credited in the Deacons' book, Feb. 12, 1712. £12. Os. Od.

Samuel Moobb's Cuabity.

Will proved Aug. 22, 1716; lib. 19, fol. 201. "Item, all the rest and residue of my money and plate I give, devise, ana bequeath unto the use and benefit of the Fii-st Meeting House, and to the use and benefit of the South Alecting Uoiisc, being equally divided between them." Credit in Deacons' book, " Received 30 oz. plate, and bills of credit £36. Os. Of?."

Simon Daniels's Ciiabitv.

Will proved May 21, 1722 ; lib. 22, fol. 266. " Item, I give and bequeath to the Poor of the Old South Church in Boston Filly Pounds, to be disposed of according to the discretion of the Ministers and Deacons of said Church." Dec. 11^, 1722, credit in Deacons' book, " £50. Os. Odf."

John Wallby's Cqabitv.

Will not found. Jan. 4, 1725, credit in Deacons' book, ^ Received of Mr. John Walley Twenty Pounds, it being a legacy left by his Father to the Poor of said Church."

AnDBBW BbLCHBU's ClIABITT.

Will, lib. 20, fol. 26, dated Oct. 17, 1717. *' Imprimis, I give to the Old South Church in Boston, whereof I am a member, the sum of Fifty Pounds." In the church-records there is a vote of grateful thankfulness to the memory of the late Andrew Belcher for his legacy to the Old. South Church; but its receipt is not credited upon the Deacon^' book.

Maby Saltonstaxl's Charity.

Will proved Jan. 16, 1729; lib. 27, fol. 227. "liera, I give to the poor of the Town of Boston One Hundred Pounds, to be disposed of to them at the discretion of the Overaeers of the Poor of the said Town ; also to the poor of the now Old South Church in Boston Twenty Pounds, to be disposed of at the discretion of the said Church."

Credit in the Deacons' book, March 9, 1730, "Received £20."

William Man ley's Cuauity.

Will proved June 26, 1732; lib. 31, fol. 16. "Item, I give and bequeath to the poor of the New South Brick Church, whereof I am a member, the sum of Twenty Pounds, to be raised and levied out of my estate, to the poor of the Church."

March 5, 1723. Credit in Deacons' book, " Received i:20."

Josiflni Maylbm's Charity.

Will proved Feb. 13, 1732; lib. 31, fol. 140. ''Item, I give unto the Rev. Mr. Joseph Sewall and Mr. Thomas Prince, the present Pastors of the Old South Church, Five Pounds to each, to be paid them in public bills of credit, in convenient time after my decease, by my executors herein named. I also give unto the poor of the said Church the sum of Twenty Pounds, in Province bills of credit, to be also paid out of my estate in convenient time after my decease by my said executors unto the deacons of the said Church, to be by them distributed, accorduig to the best of their discretion, for the ends intended."

Credit in Deacons' book, " Received iI20."

Abigail Duokalinb's Chabity.

Will proved Nov. 1, 1737; lib. 33, fol. 159. "Item, I give and bequeath unto the poor of the Old South Church, in Boston, the sum of Five Pounds in money."

Nov. 3, 1737. Credit in the Deacons' book, "-Received £5." These legacies (with the exception of Mr. Belcher's £50) were received and credited in the Deacons' book to the amount of £183. 3«. Oe?., Old Tenor, with the contribution money ; and out of those combined sums were paid the ordinary sacramental expenses and donations to the poor, whose names are registered, and the balance on hand Oct. 8, 1735, £441. ll«.Oe?., carried to a nfew account.

Nathaniel Cunningham's Charity.

Will proved Dec. 13, 1748. "I give and bequeath unto the poor of the aforesaid meeting-house (Old South), that is, the church and congregation, Five Hundred Founds, in passable bills of credit, such as may be passing at the time of my decease, of the Old Tenor."

In the church-records (which have always been open for inspection to the* church members, and have never been mislaid or lost) is the following entry: "May, 1749, Voted, That the Deacons be empowered to received £500, Old Tenor, left to the poor of the church and congregation by Mr. Nathaniel Cunningham, deceased, and give a full discharge, with the full acknowledgments of the church and congregation for so generous a benefaction." "1751, March 25. Voted the Deacons be desired to put to interest the donation of Mr. Cunningham, deceased, being £500, Old Tenor, to keep good the principal, and distribute the interest among the poor of the church and the conDfrcijation."

In account of church-stock 1701, the nmouut realized from this bequest was £00. 13,^.4/?., lawful money, whirh was invostod in a Treasury Note, together >yith Eliza Loring's legacy of £13.0^. 8dl > and from 1757 to 1701, Deacon Hubbard, as Treasurer, had received £22. Iba.ld, interest on the Cunningham legacy, which was paid to the poor. In the Deacons' book there is no account of how much they received from Mr. Cunningham's executoi*s, or how it was invested ; although subsequently, it appears, the business was correctly transacted so far as amount is concerned. It was the custom, from 1708 to 1701, to thus invest, without making specific entries thereof; general mention being made of bonds and province notes of various amounts. Tliis continued until Deacon Hubbard resigned his oflice as Treasurer; who, when ho paid over the assets of church-stock in 1700, gave a particular account, whereby the amount of this and other legacies are known to have boon roooived.

Fauu Tolman's Cuakity.

Will proved Oct. 22, 1751 ; lib. 45, fol. 235. "I do hereby give and bequeath unto the poor of the church whereof the Rev. Dr. Joseph Sewall and Mr. Thomas Prince are ministers the sum of Three Hundred Pounds, Old Tenor, or Forty Pounds lawful money, ' the same to be put out at interest, and said interest to be paid yearly to the poor forever." In 1701 account of church-stock, this legacy was invested in a note of £40. July 5, 1703, it was^ again invested.

ir,

together witli tlie legacy of Deacon Henchman, in a treasury tiotd of £10G, tlio interest on which was credited; and in January, 1760, ill the account of church -stock, this legacy is estimated as 'an item of the amount £874. 145. 3(?., lawful money.

Ann MiLLS^s Charity.

Will of Ann Mills, of Watertown, Middlesex County. Probate Records, lib. 17, fol. 17 : date Nov. 27, 1725. "My Will is that all the rest and residue of my estate, of what kind or denomination soever, be equally divided as followeth ; viz., one-quarter part to the Old or Fii-st Church in Boston, and one-quarter paiii to the Old . South Church in Boston, and one-quarter part to the Church in the east part of Watertown, and one-quarter part to the Church in the west part of Watertown. To be improved for the relief of the poor of said churches, and such poor as usually congregate with said churches, at the discretion of the minister or minister and deacons. To be i)aid by my executors within live yeai-s after my decease." Upon tlie Old South Church records, heretofore referred to, is the following : " At a church-meeting of the Old South, in Boston, Jan. 21, 1728. WliereaSj through the good Providence of God, there is a considerable legacy bequeathed to this churdh by Mi's. Ann Mills, of Watertown, to be improved for the relief of the j)oor of this cliurch and congregation, Voted^ Antony Stoddard, Esq., Deacon Henchman, and Mr. James Pemberton, be a.committee to receive this legacy according to the tenor of the will, and give proper discharges to the executors."

In the Deacons' book this legacy was credited, " Received as follows : —

Joseph Garfield's Bond £22 16^. Sd

Daniel Whitney's Bond

William Smith, and James and John Simpson's bond . . Gash invested in Treasurer's notes, Church Stock, 1761 .

29 4

22 5

26 13

10</."

It appears that Mrs. Mills must have left quite a large estate, as the following memorandum in the Deacons' book will show : —

1728, South Church, By Six Bonds, from sundry persons, ara't £280 Os, Od. A Note under hand, and Cash 2 3 1\

Ifi

The sum of £282. Ss, l\d. as above is the one-quarter pait of the residue of the estate of Ann Mills, deceased, which she gave by her last will and testament " to be 'improved for the relief of the Poor of the Old South Church and Congregation, at the discretion of the Ministera and Deacons of said Church." The Committee of 1800, in their report, say, ** We also find an old bundle of papers that is wrote on, * Six Bonds, from sundry persons, for X280. Os. Orf., due the Old South Church, the interest whereof to be disposed of to the Poor of the Church and Congregation, Dec. 31, 1729.' Note, — It appears that those moneys were never paid by the debtors." In the Deacons' book, 1762, the interest on amount received from this legacy of £100. IQs, lOd^ up to date, was paid to the poor.

Captain John Abmitaqk's Ciiabity.

Will proved May 7, 1751 ; lib. 45, fol. 46. « Item, I give and bequeath unto the Old South Church, that I now belong to. One Hundred Pounds, Old Tenor, or Thirteen Pounds, six shillings, and eight pence, lawful money of the Province aforesaid, to be put out at interest by the Ministers and Deacons of the aforesaid Church, and the interest of it to bo given to the poor members of the aforesaid Church as the Ministers and Deacons shall see fit."

June 1, 1758, in Deacons' book is credited Capt. Armitage's donation and four years' interest : the latter was debited as paid to the poor, while the principal, £13. 6«. 8rf., was invested in a Treasurer's note of £40, with that part of Mrs. Mills's legacy received in cash, as noted in Church Stock of 1761.

Will proved March 6, 1761 ; lib. 58, fol. 104. " I give unto the Old South Church, whereof the Rev. Dr. Sewall is minister, the sum of Sixty-five Pounds, thirteen shillings, and four pence, lawful money, and order the same to be put out on interest, and the interest thereof to be paid to such of the Poor of said Church as the Ministora and Deacons shall in their prudence judge proper, forever."

In the accounts of Church Stock, 1761 and 1766, it is called £66, and was invested July 5, 1763, in a Treasurer's note. In an interest account of bonds and notes, it also is credited in the Deacons' book for interest on Treasurer's note.

Mrs. Eliza Lorinq's Ciiauity.

In the account of Church Stock, 1761 and 1766, it is called the same amount, £13. 6^., Sd. in each. In 1761 it was invested in a

Treasurer's note, together with the legacy of Nathaniel Cunningham. 1757 to 17G1, Treasurer Hubbard collected as interest £6. 13.9. 6{f., and paid it to the poor.

Rev. Ebenezer Pernberton's will, proved Feb. 28, 1716, lib. 19, fol. 281. "I give Fifty Pounds, to be put out at interest by my executors and overseei-s, the interest annually to be distributed to the Poor of the town of IJoston."

In the account of Church Stock, 1761 and 1766, is James Mirrick's note for £17. Is. 9rf., received for part of the Rev. E. Pemberton's legacy, 1761, to the " Poor of Boston." 1757 to 1773, the Treasurer regularly received the interest until May 8, when the note was paid.

MaUY IuBLAND's CuAttlTY.

Will proved Oct. 17, 1768; lib. 62, fol. 225. "I ^ivc unto the Old South Church, whereof the Rev. Dra. Joseph Sewall and Alexander Cummings are pastors, the sum of One Hundred and Thirtythree Pounds, six, and eight pence, lawful money, and order that the same be put out on interest, taking Province security, or, instead thereof, good land security for the same, the interest thereof to be annually paid to such of the Poor of said Church as the Ministers and Deacons thereof shall in their prudence judge proper, forever, an account of such disposition to be laid before the Church yearly." Extract from the church records, which, be it remembered, were never lost: " 1776, the Pastor and Deacons laid before the Church the distribution of Mra. Ireland^s legacy for one year, being Eight Pounds, L.M., agreeably to the tenor of her will."

1764, credit in the Deacons' book : " Cash received, Mrs. Ireland's legacy, by Deacon JelTries, £133, 6«. Sd. 1764, Nov. 6, Treasurer Phillips invested the same in Treasurer's notes, together with other assets."

In Deacon Phillips's accounts (Treasurer twenty-nine years) the interest from 1766 amounting to £206. 135. 4(?., was paid to the poor as per account, 1791.

Legacy • 133 6 8

Principal and Interest . . . £151 Os, Sd,

Db. Joskpii Sewall*s Chabity.

Oct. 29, 1764, in Deacons' book, **Gift of the Rev. Dr. Joseph Sewall, £20, the income of said sum to bo distributed to the Poor of tlie Old South Church in Boston, yearly, by the Deacons of said Church."

Nov. C, 1704, credited as received by Deacon Jeflfries, X20. 0«. 0(/. Dr. Sewall was for many yeara pastor of the Old South.

John Simpson's Chabity.

Will proved Aug. 2, 1704, lib. 03, fol. 133. « Item, I give unto the Poor of the Church whereof Dr. Sewall is minister the sum of Thirty Pounds, lawful money, to be paid to the Deacon or Deacons of said Church, to be by them distributed among the said Poor." 1704, Nov. 0, credited in Deacons' book, " Received by Deacon Jeffries, and paid over to Treasurer Phillips, £30. Os. Of?."

John Osuobn's Ciiauitv.

1709, June 10, credited in Deacons' books, "Received from Deacon Hubbard, John Osgood, Esq.'s legacy of £13." Jan. 9, 1777, in accounts Church Stock, this is mentioned among the assets as Mr. Osborn's legacy.

Benjamin Pembebton's Chabity.

Will proved 1782, June 25, lib. 81, fol. 144. « I give and iKMiueath unto the University of Cambridge, and to the South Church in ]]oston, unto each Twenty Pounds. Also to Nathaniel Taylor, Esq., Ten Pounds, all deficiencies to be made up to lawful money." 1783, May 5, credit in Deacons' book, " Received of Samuel Whitwell and Jonathan Mason, Esqs., Executora of the will of Benjamin Pemberton, Esq., deceased, for his legacy to tlie Old South Church, £20."

Thomas Bbompield's Chabity.

Will proved 1778, April 21, lib. 77, fol. 68. "Item, I give to the Old South Church in Boston, New England, whereof the Rev. Dr. Joseph Sewall is now Pastor, the sum of Twenty-five Pounds, lawful money aforesaid of Great Britain, to be paid into the hands of the Deacons of said Church, and to be by them let out at interest, and the interest applied to the supporting of the Poor of said Church."

1789, May 1, crcilit in Deacons' book, "Received Thomas Broraficld's Legacy (see extract from liis will), i!33. Qs, 8c?"

Thomas IIuuiiakd's Charity.

Will proved 1773, July 23, lib. 73, fol 36. « I give to the Charitable and Pious Fund of the Old South Church, so called, in Boston, Fiay Pounds."

1773, Aug. 17, credit in Deacons' books, " Received of the Executors of the late Thomas Hubbard, Esq., for his legacy to the Charitable and Pious Fund, £50."

This sum was specially invested and ro-iuvestod as belonging to this fund for many years, when it became commingled with the Deacons' and Ministers' Fund. Mr. Hubbard was deacon and treasurer of the Old South, which oflices he " filled with fidelity, uprightness, and integrity."