hapman, Master in Chancery." Dated 6th March,
1786.

The actual terms of Richard Watson's will are these: "I am very desirous
of establishing a small school within the town of Horncastle, wherein the
children of such poor persons, as the Governors of the Grammar School
shall think objects of charity, may be taught to read, knit, spin, and
plain needlework, or sewing. I do therefore hereby earnestly request,
will, and direct, my nephew and executor, after my decease, by deed,
conveyance (&c.), to convey, and assure, to the said Governors, and their
successors, for ever, all the lands situate in Croft, and all those
messuages, cottages, or tenements, within the yards and pingle adjoining,
situate in Far Street (now called West Street), Horncastle; and also that
part of now inclosed arable, meadow, and pasture ground, lying in
Wigtoft, containing 6 acres, 28 perches, now in the occupation of my
cousin, William Watson, with appurtenances, upon the Trusts following,
viz.: (1) to keep the house (school) in good repair, and the residence
(2) for the maintenance of a proper master or mistress, to be from time
to time nominated by them, to teach such poor children, &c."

It is then added that "the said Richard Watson dying on Sept. 30 (1784),
the said Frances and James Conington, desirous to fulfil his bequest,
agree to convey to the use of the said Governors, the said messuages,
&c." An Indenture is added, witnessing "that on payment by Benjamin
Handley of ten shillings to Frances and James Conington, they have
granted, sold, and released" the aforesaid property, and "appointed by
these presents from the day next before the date of the Indenture, all
the said messuages, &c., called by the name of the 'ffoal thing,' {110a}
and that plot commonly called 'Backside,' the closes in Croft abutting on
the highway, and lands near the old sea bank; and land called the 'bridge
plot' in Wigtoft (6 acres), assigned to Richard Watson, by the award of
the Commissioners appointed by Parliament, in the 12th year of His
Majesty, for enclosing common and open fields (No. 40 in award map), with
houses, barns, curtilages, and woods, to be held by the Governors of the
Grammar School, the reversions, rents, &c., to the use of John Thorold
(and the Governors), {110b} on trust, that the said Governors collect the
rents, &c., and apply them as shall be required, from time to time, for
poor children; and shall have power to erect a new school house,