18 



school books and bibles with the same, the said books so bought 

 to be distributed by my said trustees yearly about the time of 

 Easter to and amongst such poor children born in the said parish 

 of Crosthwaite, who if mindful and willing to learn English, and 

 whose parents are not of ability to buy them books ; in hopes that 

 this small gift of mine may encourage some children to learn to read 

 and thereby they the better understand their duty both to God and 

 man." 



The will was never proved, but the document bears the endorse- 

 ment by her father, " My Daughter Grace' Will." 



It was, however, immediately acted upon, for on February 24th, 

 1722, the first record states as follows: — "Mrs. Grace Wren 

 first charity books was given at Crosthwaite Church by Gawen 

 Wren, junr., and John Wilson of Ashness, who were desired by 

 the Doner to se them Distributed every yr. As long as they Live, 

 and after their time to their heirs for the good of the poor of the 

 parish of Crosthwaite, for Ever. The Forty pounds is now in Mr. 

 Wren's hand, and is to be laid out on Land, as soon as a purchase 

 can be met with. The interest of it is to buy Bibles yearly." 



Eleven Bibles and five Testaments were given, and the names 

 of the recipients follow ; amongst the number is " Gyles Senogle 

 of Crosthwaite, son a Testament." May 24th, 1728, the trustees 

 bought of Thomas Birkhead of Stonethwaite, for thirty pounds, 

 land called Scale Close, Dalts, and Scale Brow, lying between 

 Seatoller and Longthwaite; and February ist, 1741, the trustees 

 bought of Barbara and Ann Wren all that Meal Tithe rent of 

 seven shillings and ninepence due and paid on the 25th of April 

 out of a messuage called Birkhow-sykes, then in the possession of 

 the Rev. Isaac Robley, clerk, minister of St. John's. 



The Charity has now an income as follows : — 



From Consols --.--- ^6 3 8 

 From Land in Borrowdale - - - - 7 10 o 

 Meal Tithe paid by St. John's in the Vale Vicar 077 



;^i3 II 3 



