OLIVER CROMWELL AS A FEOFFEE OF PARSON’S CHARITY, ELY

There is in Ely, where Cromwell for some years resided, an extensive charity known as Parson’s Charity, of which he was a feoffee or governor.  The following paper, which was submitted to Mr. Carlyle for the second or third edition of his work, contains all the references to the great Protector which are to be found in the papers now in the possession of the trustees.  The appointment of Oliver Cromwell as a feoffee does not appear in any of the documents now remaining with the governors of the charity.  The records of the proceedings if the feoffees of his time consist only of the collector’s yearly accounts of monies received and expended, and do not show the appointments of the feoffees.  These accounts were laid before the feoffees from time to time, and signed by them in testimony of their allowance.

Cromwell’s name might therefore be expected to be found at the foot of some of them; but it unfortunately happens that, from the year 1622 to the year 1641, there is an hiatus in the accounts.  At the end of Book No. 1., between forty and fifty leaves have been cut away, and at the commencement of Book no. 2. about twelve leaves more.  Whether some collector of curiosities has purloined these leaves for the sale of any autographs of Cromwell contained in them, or whether their removal may be accounted for by the questions which arose at the latter end of the above period as to the application of the funds of the charity, cannot now be ascertained.

There are however, still in the possession of the governors of the charity, several documents which clearly show that from the year 1635 to the year 1641 Cromwell was a feoffee or governor, and took an active part in the management of the affairs of the charity.  There is an original bond, dated the 30th of May, 1638, from one Robert Newborne to “Daniell Wigmore, Archdeacon of Ely, Oliver Cromwell, Esq., and the rest of the Corporation of Ely.”  The feoffees had then been incorporated by royal charter, under the title of “The Governors of the Lands and Possessions of the Poor of the City or Town of Ely.”

There are some detached collectors’ accounts extending over a portion of the interval between 1622 and 1641, and indorsed, “The Accoumpts of Mr. John Hand and Mr. William Cranford, Collectors of the Revenewes belonging to the Towne of Ely.”

The following entries are extracted from these accounts:—­

“The Disbursements of Mr. John Hand from the
of August 1636 unto the of
1641.”

“Anno 1636.”

After several other items,—­

L  s.  d. 
“Given to diverse Poore People at ye     }
Worke-house, in the presence of Mr.      }
Archdeacon of Ely, Mr. Oliver Cromwell,  }    16  14   0
Mr. John Goodericke, and others, Feb.    }
10th 1636, as appeareth,                 }    ___________

Summa Expens.  Ann. 1636                       36   3   6”
___________

    “The Disbursements of Mr. Cranford.” 
  “Item, to Jones, by Mr. Cromwell’s consent} 1 0 0”