THE OLDER CHARITIES OF PLYMOUTH. 
33 
them out of yo possession," and stating that he intended to see his 
friend's will carried out. 
The final issue of this was the grant, October 3rd, 1566, by 
John Derye and. John Forde to the Mayor and Commonalty of 
XI 00, the proceeds of How's gift, on condition of the payment of 
£6 13s. 4d. annually to the widows of the Almshouse of Plymouth. 
How, however, had previously given a large sum; for the 
"White Book" records, under date December 16th, 1565, that 
Kichard Hooper (Mayor 1548-9, which may help to fix the date of 
this donation) and John Hooper were to make proper conveyance 
of How's gift of £8 a year, or to be handed over to Mr. Beckett's 
care. How was also the chief donor in 1560 towards the large bell 
for the town. 
There are a few imperfect accounts of How's Charity during 
the reign of Elizabeth yet extant. In 1567 the total sum 
apparently amounted to £180; for there are entries of the following 
loans, for the most part at 10 per cent, interest : William Hawkins, 
£40, interest £4 ; Richard Morgan, £20, 40s. ; Mr. Yelcombe 
(Hcombe), £20, 40s.; William Gyll, £10, 20s.; John Feltwell, 
£10, 20s. This £100 is set forth to itself. Then follows an 
account of £80 : Rychard Hoper, £20, 40s. ; Mr. Yelcombe, £20, 
40s.; John Hoper, £40, £4; Nicholas Barfeat, £20, 26s. 8d. 
The total interest was thus, in 1567, £19 6s. 8d. In 1570 the 
amounts due on loan were : W. Hawkyns, esq., £17 ; John Derry, 
£14; John Ilcombe the elder, £11 ; William Byll, £14; William 
Morgan and Mr. Beckett, £20; W. Ferneworthy, £11; William 
Bound, £25 6s. 8d. ; Gregory Cock, £43 ; the town owed £6 for 
interest of £20 ; and there was in Walter Peperell's hands, " that 
Mr. Martyn had," £10. The receipts in 1583 were £19 17s. 8d., 
the highest noted; and the regular expenditure was 10s. for a 
dinner; 3s. 4d., town clerk's fee; 20d., sergeant's fee; and 6s. 8d., 
" my fee ; " " other charges " not adding materially to the total. 
How's Charity has now for many years been represented by the 
payment by the Corporation of £14 13s. 4d., under two agreements, 
for the occupants of the Almshouse. 
The oldest existing accounts of the Almshouse Wardens date in 
1729 (not 1783, as stated in the Report of 1820), and set forth the 
town rents " allotted " by the Mayor and Commonalty towards the 
maintenance of the people in the Almshouse. But these rents were 
VOL. IX. d 
