| Description | Following an index (few entries) the first 15 folios of this volume (numbered i-xv) are the earliest surviving record of the Soupe Charity. The entries are made by Philippe Ostome, who describes himself on page 1 as 'Administrateur demeurant dans la Maison'. The entries are under the names of the benefactors: Hilaire Reneu, merchant, of London; Monsieur Smythies, 'ministre de l'Eglise de Greepgate' (St Giles Cripplegate); Monsieur Deprié, landlord of the Charity's house; le Capitaine Perez; and a few others. Reneu gave money, Smythies meat, and Perez bread; cloth and coal were also received.
Folios xvi-li were used for a monthly summary of 'menues dépences de la Maison' by Abraham Lepiquais, Steward (conome), from June 1721 to April 1739, and by his successor, Jacques Deplanche, from May 1739 until August 1741. On f xliv it is noted that Mr Lepiquais was found dead on 26 June 1739. The entries for each month are not dated, but are abbreviated and re-arranged from the rough accounts (H/M/2/8). Folios lii-lvii are missing. Folios lviii-xc were used by Louis Royer, the Steward who succeeded Deplanche, for detailed lists of bread supplied by the French Hospital bakery and several other bakers, between 1741 and 1746. The last folio was used by Royer for a rough account of payments to scavengers, the watch, various purchases such as paper, candles, and keys, and for his own quarterly salary, 1744-1746. As there is a note: 'carried to the expense book, folio 23', there must have been a later monthly cash book, continuing from 1741, now missing. Pinned to f xxvi is a receipted bill (in English) for glazing windows at the Charity House, 16 June 1729. |