| AdminHistory | Meetings were at first held at irregular intervals, but on 4 March 1696 the Committee (generally called 'La Compagnie') decided that a general assembly should be held on the first Wednesday of every month, with fines for non-attendance; and a committee meeting, also monthly a fortnight later, the latter to be attended by a minister, two directors, and the ladies on duty for the month. From 1705, however, it was agreed that general assemblies should be only quarterly, unless required for some special cause.
The minutes are for the most part a record of names (often mentioning the number of children) of applicants to whom 'portions' of food in varying numbers per week were allotted. A 'portion' (ration) consisted of 'a pan of good broth, mixed with six ounces of bread (and) half a pound of meat; and the same weight of good bread' from William Maitland, 'The history of London from its foundation by the Romans to the present time with the several accounts of Westminster, Middlesex, Southwark, and other parts within the Bill of Mortality' (London, 1739). Soon after Maitland's book was printed, however, the Charity found itself in financial difficulties, and from September 1741 could no longer afford to buy meat for soup. It accordingly became 'La Maison de Charité du Pain', and as such, helped by some useful legacies, continued its work for the rest of the century and after though on a gradually reduced scale. Printed 'portion' tickets appear to have been in use from before the opening of the minute book; 600 more were ordered in April 1697. At this date the Assembly, already unable to make both ends meet, was making a special appeal for contributions, which produced about £30. In the earliest years, contributions in kind are recorded (see H/M/2/6).
As the minutes are written in various hands up to the end of 1697, it seems that there was at first no regular secretary; but from January 1699 the minutes are normally written for almost 20 years by Jacques Testard, who is described as the 'Secrtaire et Trsorier de cette Maison' when his death is reported on 2 February 1708. He was succeeded by Pierre Cabibel (later Governor of the French Hospital), who accepted the duties with some reluctance but was still performing them when the minute book ends in February 1718, signing each entry as Secretary from 7 April 1712, in accordance with a resolution of that date. He is also referred to as Secretary in an entry for January 1725 on the last page of the book. Mr Cabibel was still Treasurer, though perhaps not Secretary, until October 1743. He attended no meetings of the French Hospital Court after that, and died in 1745.
On 7 September 1713 it was recorded that a chest with three keys had been made, to hold the papers and parchments relating to the securities of the Charity. |