and decayed householders of the town of Boston, of either sex, not under the age of fifty years, being persons of good character, and reduced by the acts of Providence and not by indolence, extravagance, or other vices (preference always being given to the nearest relatives of me, the testator, anywhere residing), and the said charity be not too generally extended, but confined to such a number of proper objects as to make it really beneficial to those on whom it is bestowed." The sum named in this will is £1,000 ($ 4,444.44), but it was increased by accumulation of interest and by a residue of part of Mr. Boylston's estate, and now the par value is $12,900. The clause giving preference to relatives has brought claimants sufficient to take the whole income; the present number being twenty-five, who receive forty dollars a year each, making one thousand dollars, while the income is only nine hundred and fifty-four dollars, and only two of the recipients have a settlement in Boston. Boylston Education Fund, $31,960, the legacy of John Boylston, the interest "to be applied by the overseers for the nurture and instruction of poor orphans and deserted children of Boston; that is, for the purpose of clothing, feeding, and teaching such children until they are fourteen years old, and no longer; when, if not before, they are to bind them out to such useful arts and business as they may be capable of." This fund was originally the same amount as the Relief Fund, by the same donor. The trustees are now supporting several boys at the Farm School, in accordance with the above requirements; but their operations recently have been mainly suspended, and the funds are accumulating. Encouragement has been given to hope that this fund will ere long be augmented, and thereby enable the trustees to carry out the will of the donor in a satisfactory manner, and to the great advantage of Boston. All the other legacies are merged into one fund, sometimes called the Pemberton Fund, from its largest contributor, but more properly named the General Fund, $62,850. The income of this fund is distributed semi-annually in sums of $10 each to old ladies of Boston, "for the relief and assistance of such persons of good characters as have, by misfortune, fallen from comfortable circumstances to indigence and want." Other funds for charitable purposes are now accumulating, which have been established by one of our most opulent and respected citizens, and which promise in time to exceed all the others; but as the donor is still living, and in accordance with his request further information, for the present, is withheld from the public. The present available portion of this fund is invested as follows, namely: The income of this fund has been added to that of the General Fund, and appropriated in the same manner; thereby enabling the trustees to afford material aid to a large number of old ladies, semi-annually, and thus sustain them above pauperism. The present number of recipients being two hundred and sixty-four, thereby receiving $5,280 per annum. While these funds are managed by judicious and responsible persons, it will readily be seen that they will not only afford valuable aid to a class of most worthy objects yearly, but also that they are destined to become of almost incalculable value to future generations. Respectfully yours, 49 Harrison Avenue, August 6, 1861. JOHN W. WARREN, Treasurer of the Corporation. During the last winter a bill was agreed upon in Committee for modifying the organization of the Board of Overseers of the Poor, providing for their election by the City Council for triennial terms, with alternate vacancies. This system has been adopted in Salem and other large places, with excellent results. If at the outset a large portion of the existing board were constituted overseers under the new law, any information possessed by incumbents important for the public to possess, would be preserved and transmitted. Due notice should be given of the proposed intention to petition for the change, and such a bill as that of last year, having the sanction of the City Council, will probably pass without opposition. Whether it passes or not, we should recommend that the rules and orders should provide for the appointment of a joint standing committee of five on the Overseers of the Poor, this being believed to be the only branch of the public service not connected in this way with the City Council, and yet being that of all others where some means of communication and information are desirable, three fourths at least of their disbursements not being covered by law. For the Committee, THOMAS C. AMORY, JR. |