1654 Extract from the Will of Thomas Whitehead

An extract from the Will of Thomas Whitehead made in 1654.

It reads:

"Whereas I also stand seized of an inheritance … in Houghton Regis in the County of Bedford commonly called the Strangers beinge the place of my birth to which I beare greate respect and give and bequeath the same to my executors and their heirs for ever together with tow hundred and fifty pounds of lawful English money to … convert part of my now dwelling house or buildings thereto belonging into a school house ....."

Thw Will went on to read:

"or else erect a new one … my will and mind is that my said executors and their heires shall for ever hereafter pay unto some honest paynfull schoolmaster who shall bee employed there to keep schoole to teach twenty schollers there freely without any salarie for his paynes fifteen whereof to be children of fifteen poore in- habitants within the said Towne and the other fyve to be the children of fyve other poore inhabitants living within ye Hamlets next adjoining …."

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