Notes on Overseer’s Book of Accounts for 17723-1823 for Stapleford Tawney

In the year 1723 Edward Luther was Rector of this parish and signed the book at the Vestry as such. E. Smyth, of Hill Hall, also signed. At this vestry meeting a document was drawn up and signed by those present. This stated that whereas Thomas Luther, late of Suttons in the parish of Stapleford Tany (sic) in the County of Essex, Esqre., deceased, did in and by his last will and testament in writing, duly executed, bearing date the thirtieth day of July, one thousand seven hundred and eighteen, give and devise the sum of five pounds her annum to the poor of the parish of Stapleford Tany . . . for ever and charged several lands in the said parish with the payment thereof. Now know yr that we, the Churchwardens, etc., in vestry assembled . . . on Monday the eleventh day of April, one thousand seven hundred and twenty-six. In consideration that Jane Luther, of Suttons aforesaid, widow, the mother of the said Thomas Luther, deceased, having promised to give four pounds per annum towards the school to be sett up in the said parish of Stapleford Tany, for the instructing the poor children of the said parish . . . Doe hereby agree and consent as much as in us lyes that the ffive pounds per annum so devised unto the poor of Stapleford Tany aforesaid, in and by the said Thomas Luther, he applyed and paid annually for ever hereafter to some honest choolmaster or mistresse that shall hereafter reside in the said parish of Stapleford Tany, and instruct the children of such poor persons that are or hereafter shall be, chargeable or likely to become chargeable to the parish aforesaid, in Reading, writing and Accounts, and also in learning them the Church Catechism and bringing them up in the Religion of the Church of England, which said school master or mistress after the death of the said Jane Luther, to be chosen by the proprietors of the several mansion houses hereinafter named : that is to say the proprietors of the mansion houses called Suttons, Miles, Tany Hall and Bells; and the Rector of the said parish for the time being, etc.

Signed
E. Smyth; Mary Haddon; Wm. Nicholson
Charles Haddon; P. Parkes, Rector.
Hen. Mott, Junr.; David X Trevice
(his mark); Charles B. Sworder, Epping.