selected by the Town Council, the majority being poor old women, who go fur their doles Dec. 12th.—In addition to the above there have been a number of minor charities left to the churchwardens (or providing food and clothing which have either been lost sight of, or mixed up with ohiers, some dating as far back as 1629-30.
George Hill's Charity is now of the value of nearly £5,000, bringing in about £120 yearly. Of this 52s. goes to the churchwardens of the parish church to provide bread for the most, necessitous and aged poor; 20s. to the incumbent of Deritend, and the residue in pensions of not more than £20 to decayed schoolmasters and schoolmistresses.
Hollier's Charity was devised in 1789, the land now known as Highgate Park (originally 10 acres) being left to clothe, annually, twenty poor persons, twelve from Birmingham and eight from Aston. The purchase money paid by the Corporation has been invested, and, under the direction of thy Charity Commissioners, the income of this charity is appropriated thus:— £50 for clothing for twelve poor men or women of Birmingham, and eight ditto of Aston; £25 for relieving deserving and necessitous persons discharged from Borough Lunatic Asylum; £150 to the Dispensaries of Birmingham and Aston; £25 each to the Children's Hospital and the Sanatorium; and the remainder to the General Hospital.
James's Trust, of 1869, which realises about £1,000 per year, was left to provide homes and pensions for deserving widows and others; five annuities for poor and decayed gentlewomen; and a scholarship at the Grammar School. The Secretary is the Vicar of St. Clement's, Nechells.
Kyleuppe's Charity.— Sept. 19, 1611. Richard Kyleuppe devised certain land at Sparkbrook for charitable purposes, the income of which is now handed to the General Hospital and General Dispensary, as nearly as possible following the testator's wishes.
Lench's Trust, which dates from 1539, is one of the most important charities of the town, and has an income of over £3,000 a year at present. The original objects of the trust were repairing the streets of the town and relief to the poor. From time to time other charities have been incorporated, and the funds administered with those of Lench's Trust. Among these are the "Bell Rope" fund for purchasing ropes for St. Martin's Belfry, the donor of which is not known; Colmore's Charity, dating from 1565, for relieving the poor and repairing streets; Redhill's and Shilton's (about 1520), for like purposes; Kyleuppe's 1610, for the poor, and a small sum towards repairing the church; Vesey's 1583, known as the "Loveday Croft" gift; Ward's 1573, and Wrexam's, 1568, both for gifts to the poor on Good Friday; Ann Scott's, 1808, providing small amounts to be given to the inmates of the Almshouses, &c. The Trust now maintains four sets of almshouses (Conybere Street, Hospital Street, Ravenhurst Street, and Ladywood) accommodating 181 inmates, all women, who receive 5s. a week each, with firing, medical advice and medicines when necessary, and sundry other small comforts beloved by old grannies. The solicitors to the Trust are Messrs. Horton and Lee, Newhall Street. The income of Lench's Trust for the year 1883 amounted to £3,321 10s., of which £1,825 14s. went to the almswomen, £749 1s. 8d. for matrons, doctors, and expenses at the almshouses, £437 9s. 4d. for repairs, insurance, rates, and taxes, and £309 5s. for clerks, collectors, auditors, law and surveyor's charges, printing, &c.
Milwards Charity.—John Milward in 1654 left property then worth £26 per annum and the Red Lion publichouse (worth another £26, but which could never be traced out), to be devided between the governors of the Free Grammar Schools of Birmingham
