Decoding the 1888 Clifton Charity Governing Document for Modern Readers

The Governing Document: An Overview

In the UK, a charity's governing document is its foundational rulebook, essential for legal compliance and effective operation. It's not just a formality; it defines the charities purpose and mission, ensuring it serves the public good as required by law.

This article looks back at the original Fanny Clifton governing document registered with the Charity Commission in 1888. However, there have been a few changes since to the governing document to reflect modern day society and combining of both the Elizabeth Stephens and Fanny Clifton charities.

Deciphering the 1888 Document

It was great to see the original document but it was very difficult to read the cursive and expressive handwriting. To overcome this challenge we used a handwriting text recognition (HTR) tool, in this case we used https://pen2txt.com/, which took images of the text and deciphered them into digital text. The results were delivered in a few minutes.

The deciphered Fanny Clifton governing document

Donor's Christian name and surname in full. Description and address:

Fanny Clifton, late of Weston-super-Mare, County Somerset. Spinster (died 21 January 1888)

Date of Will: 8th April 1882

Date of Codicil (if any): 6th August 1886

Date of Probate and reference No.: 13th March 1888, A.D. 1888, 1013

Place of Probate: Wells

Executors' names, descriptions and addresses: Alfred Catchmay Hooper, sole executor, of Worcester, Gentleman. J.H. Hooper, Solicitor, Charity Commission.

Extract-verbatim: In view of continuing the proper distribution of coal to the inhabitants of the Chapelry of Whittington, in the Parish of St. Peter the Great, County Worcester, I direct my executor to set apart and appropriate from my personal estate the sum of £1,000 upon trust to invest the same in the names of himself and such three other persons as he may in his discretion think proper and select accordingly in the purchase of public funds and securities.

The investments shall be held by them and the survivors and survivor of them upon trust to receive the annual income and dividends thereof and pay and apply the same, or the greater part thereof (after payment of all expenses attending the execution of this trust), in the purchase of coal and fuel, and distribute the same yearly, on St. Thomas Day, among such poor and deserving families and persons residing within the said Chapelry of Whittington, as the said trustees or the ministers may select, along with the Curate or other officiating minister of the said Chapel.

I hereby authorise the said trustees, in order to provide for any special time of want caused by reason of severe weather, to retain and accumulate in their hands any small surplus not exceeding in any one year two shillings that remain of the said income and dividends for the annual supply on St. Thomas Day, and at any such time of special want as aforementioned to lay out the said accumulated fund or any part thereof for the current year that they may have received, or any part thereof, in the purchase of coal and fuel, and distribute the same to such poor inhabitants of the Chapelry of Whittington as aforementioned.

I declare that the power of appointing new trustees conferred by the Act of Parliament in the 23rd and 24th years of the reign of Her Present Majesty Cap. 145 shall, for the purposes of this my will, be vested in the persons mentioned in that behalf in the said Act, and upon any appointment under the said power, the person or persons exercising the same shall be at liberty to alter the number of trustees, but so that immediately after each appointment the number of trustees shall not be more than seven or less than three.

[No directions as to payment of legacy duty on this bequest]

J. W. Owally

Sommerset House

15th May 1888

Conclusion

Reflecting on Fanny Clifton's will shows how a historical document shapes a charity's enduring purpose. This governing document is a window into the past, revealing her specific vision to help the poor of Whittington. It's not just a record; it's the blueprint for a century of kindness, detailing who, what, and how her legacy should continue.