James Swift’s Charity 1610

Bequests to the Parish of Dronfield

We have been researching the people that made bequests in the past for the poor people of the parish. Their names appear on three large wooden display boards that hang in Dore Old School. We were intrigued by the occupation of James Swift - a 'collar maker'- and imagined he must have been making ruffs which were still fashionable in 1611.

"1611. JAMES SWIFT. of the Parish of Saint George the Martyr, in Southwark in the County of Surrey, Collar Maker, left 3 Pounds Per Annum to be distributed among the Poor of this Parish on the Feast of Saint Philip and S^tJames for ever."

Imagine our surprise when we found out he made collars for horses!

The Worshipful Company of Saddlers

James was one of the founders of the Worshipful Company of Saddlers’ charities. According to the Company:

"The charity of James Swift was founded by an indenture of 18 May 1610, between James Swift of the first part and John Bingham (one of Her Majesty's Groome Saddlers in 1590) and seventeen other Citizens and Saddlers of London of the second part."

James Swift was not a member of the Saddlers’ Company - this might have been because he was based outside of the City of London in Southwark.

Under the terms of the indenture James Swift granted and confirmed to the Saddlers a property in the parish of St George the Martyr, Southwark upon trust that after his death the Saddlers would pay on the feast day of St Philip and James £3 to the churchwarden and overseers of the poor of the parish of Dronfield in Derbyshire (his native parish), for the use, succour and relief of the poor people living within that parish.

The 1827 report of the Charity Commissioners confirmed that the sum of £3 was sent to the churchwarden of Dronfield annually in May. A list of names of the poor who had received money in the previous year was first sent to the Company. The money for the charity was raised from the rents and profits from a house with garden and shops in St. George's parish. The church warden of Dore had the task of selecting the poorest parishioners and distributing to them their quarter of the bequest.

The Conditions in James Swift's Will

This map from 1769 shows part of Southwark where James and his family lived. Red Cross Street is marked as is the infamous Marshalsea Prison which was founded in 1373.

In his will, James gave the lease of his house, called the Red Cross, in Southwark to his wife Margery. His daughter Joan (Johane), who had been baptised at St Saviour's Church, Southwark on January 4th 1596 was made his executrix. He left everthing to be divided equally between mother and daughter. He named his cousins John and Henry Wolstenholme responsible for Joan's education and to see that she was virtuously brought up and if they thought it necessary that she should be removed from her mother.

James was buried at St George's Church, Southwark on September 4th 1610. On October 9th 1610 his widow Margery married Isaac EILES by licence and on December 4th 1610 his daughter Joan married Thomas EILES by licence. As stated in the will this meant Joan received all her inheritance and did not have to wait until she was twenty one.

James also made bequests to his brothers Robert and Godfrey, his sister Jane, her sons Edward and Anthony and several friends. His sister Jane had married Edward Maden in Dronfield Parish Church on July 18th 1585. Ten pounds was also left to the poor of the parish of St. George.

Thanks to the Saddlers' Company for all their help.

Click here to read his will (opens in a new tab)