1772: Mary Langton, in a will of this date, bequeathed the residue of her estates and effects - after payment of her debts, legacies and funeral expenses - to the minister and churchwardens of Peterborough, to be placed out on government or other securities. She directed that on the feast of the annunciation (25 March) every year, they should distribute the interest thereof amongst the poor of the said parish not receiving alms, as they should think proper, so that no one person or family should receive more than 5s in one year. The clear residue of the testatrix's estate, which amounted to £740, was laid out in July 1777 in the purchase of £945 7s 4d. Three percent reduced annuities. By 1831, this was still held in the names of Messrs J.W Clark, Benjamin Bull (both by then deceased), William Simpson and James Hayes, with ongoing discussion regarding a proposal to transfer the stock to new trustees. It was agreed that the dividends - then £28 7s 2d a year - would be distributed as required by the minister and churchwardens among the poor persons belonging to the parish, and not receiving parochial relief, in the sum of 2s 6d each. (Parliamentary Papers, House of Commons and Command)

Taken from The Peterborough Book of Days by Brian Jones, The History Press, 2014.