Mary Evans, a distressed clerical widow, petitions for Alms 1795

 

Mary Evans presents herself as an impoverished clergyman’s widow, resident in the Froxfield Almshouses (locally called “Froxfield College”); she writes to the present rector of Iron Acton, Alexander Akehurst, seeking financial help from a Trust established by the previous Rector, the Reverend Joseph Jane (1740-1788). Akehurst  dockets the letter noting that he has answered and sent a petition (i.e, a form on which she can make an application). Mary Evans says that her late husband was Curate of Tytherington at the time of his death but no Evans is listed as Curate there in the relevant period. He may have been unlicensed at the time of his death.

The letter illustrates a general problem that the Church of England made little provision for clergy widows notably in the case of poorly paid curates who died while their children were still young and might well leave their families homeless and with no immediate source of income. 

Transcription

Addressed to: To The Reverend Rector of Iron-Acton    near Sodbury     Gloucestershire

Endorsed: single sheet     Postmarked: HUNGER FORD

 

Reverend Sir

I flatter myself  that your goodness will excuse the liberty which a stranger is about to take with you when I inform you that I am indeed very sorry and humbly beg pardon for troubling you but being in great perplexity of mind induced me to take this method of making enquiry concerning a paragraph which was in one of he London papers about three weeks ago and which I have a copy of therefor good sir I shall write it won begging your perusal also your kind consideration and opinion on the matter

A humane Clergyman in the West of England Gloucestershire some time since bequeathed 3000 l. in trust for ever to be vested in the names of the Ministers of the adjoining parishes to which he lived in who are to apply a great part of the interest of this sum, towards the relief of six poor Curates of the established Church having no benefices or the widows of such poor curates having Families at the option of the Trustees who are now seeking out proper objects to fulfil the benevolent intent of the donor…..

And now worthy Sir it runs in my head that it was the Revd Mr. Jane Late Rector of Acton left the above legacy for I have often heard him say that he would leave something towards the maintenance of few Clergymens widows and about fifteen years ago when he made his will my name was mentioned in it so far as to be one of the widows who was to be partaker of hie charitable donation however as I had not the pleasure of seeing Mr. Jane this ten or eleven years I am quite at a loss how he managed his affairs since….my Husband was Curate of Tytherington at the time of his death. I was left with four small children the eldest not nine years and the youngest year and half only, I have since after long and lingering illness buryd a fine girl between nineteen and twenty years of age , and have now three living and are indeed worthy sir very expensive to me the poor things are not extravagant. I reside at Froxfield [almshouses for clerical widows] which is a part of he country where every rticle in life is purchased at a very dear rate so being obliged to live hard for the sake of my dear children has greatly hurted my Constitution so much that of late years I have not known what health is which is a severe Trial on account of my not having pecuniary means to supply the common necessaries of myself and Family, therefor good sir pen is not able to describe how thankful I should be if please god to rise me up a Friend in you so fdar as to enquire if you do not already know concerning the above legacy and let me know who the trustees are and which way am I to apply and by so doing you will render me and Family under the greatest obligation imaginable – the least share of it ill not only be acceptable but very serviceable .. I am afraid worthy sir that I have dwelled too long on your patience by writing so much and if I have I must earnestly crave your pardon and believe it is a painful task to me to be so troublesome and not without great reluctance I address you on the occasion, but being in distressful circumstances and labouring under many infirmities which nothing but the strongest inward conviction that the the great author of all things orders everything for the best could support me through – I remain sincerely wishing your health and happiness and may you and yours enjoy every possible blessing and enjoyment that this world can afford

Reverend Sir your most obedient and very humble servant

Mary Evans

Froxfield College

Near Hungerford Berks

September 12^th 1795

 

Docketing note: answered & a petn. sent Sepr. 15 1795