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St. Lawrence's Church, Towcester - Benefactors
Sponne's bequestsArchdeacon William Sponne 1437
13th January. 29th H 6.th 1437

Wm. Sponn [sic] sometime Archdeacon of Norfolk and Rector of Towcester gave a Mefsuage Close and Lands in Towcester to certain Feoffees their Heirs and Afsignes and declared the Uses thereof to be in Trust to releive [sic] the Inhabitants from a Tax to be granted by Parliament then called a fifteenth on the Goods amounting to ten Marks as one fifteenth. if [sic] none granted then at the sound discretion of the said Feoffees to be applied as well in repairing the said Mefsuage and the Pavement of the said Town as by distribution among the Poor residing in the Parish of Towcester.
Benefaction Board 1755Benefaction Board 1755
This board is on the West wall under the tower. The Right Hon. Henrietta Louisa Countess of Pomfret Gave a Large Bason and Ewer (double Gilt) for the Use and Ornament of this Church. Historical note. The Communion Plate consists of a large basin about 1ft. 9in. diameter, and Ewer double gilt, inscribed

Benefaction Board 1793aBenefaction Board 1793a
This board is on the South wall of the tower.

Benefaction Board 1793

BenefactorDescription
Mr.Thomas BickerstaffCitizen of London, born at Towcester, at his own Charge Erected three Almshouses for three ancient People of this town by his last will dated January 20, 1695. [click for picture of almshouses] Also Gave the sum of 250 Pounds which by Trustees according to his order was laid out in Land in Farthingstone and by a Late inclosure 28 acres near Snoscomb Grounds alloted in lieu thereof the Benifit of which is for repairing the said houses and Maintenance of the said People with Bread or Money & Clothing once in two Years.
John Jones Gent.By will dated May 4th 1694 Gave 4 Acres of Land lying in the Field of Caldecote in this Parish part of the yearly rent to be laid out in bread, to be distributed to the Poor of Towcester Quarterly and the residue for the Gravemaker as by liberty given by his will his Relict and Executrix Ann Jones hath appointed in her last will dated Dec. 25th 1699.
Ann JonesRelict of John Jones aforementioned by deed dated July 20th 1697 gave a close in the liberty of Abthopre the Yearly rent of which is for the Teaching of 6 boys in this Parish.
Richard Ratnett Gent.By will dated May 3rd 1738 Gave the Yearly sum of Forty Shillings for teaching two Boys in the Grammer School in Towcester and charged certain Lands in the Parish of Greens Norton with the Payment thereof.
Mr.Joseph SandersAttorney By will dated April 18th 1704 after Debts and legacies Paid did devise the overplus of his Estate to be Laid out in Lands or Tenements the Yearly rents of which are for the Teaching of Boys in the free School in Towcester to be equally chosen from the Parishes of Towcester and Greens Norton and Providing them with books according to which will the Executors have Purchased an Yearly rent charg'd upon Lands in Abthorpe to the Value of Five Pounds one Shilling Yearly.
Willm. HenchmanGave the Treble May 25th 1726 to make a Ring of 6 Bells.
 November 20th 1776
Joseph NewmanThe Execitrix of Joseph Newman late of Towcester Ironmonger Gave one Hundred Pounds to the Trustees of the Alms houses Founded by the aforesaid Thos. Bickerstaff for the Alms house persons.Also Eighty Pounds was on Oct. 26th 1789 Given by an unknown Person to the said Alms houses and both the said Sums are invested in the 3p. Cent.consolidated Bank Annuitys by certain Feoffes whereof the last Sum is to buy Coals or Wood for Firing for the Alms houses People.
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