436 Henry Newman to President Wadsworth

    Bartlets Buildings

    London 24 Sept. 1736

    Reverend Sir

    Having done all that I could to discover the effects of Mr. Dodderidge’s Estate, part of which was given to our College, Councellor Stuckley of the Temple and Mr. Challis the Attorney are both of opinion that the Estate is so reduced that it would be very doubtful whether what might be recovered would defray half the Charge of a Bill in Chancery to enquire after them, and when I had discovered them, you would be entituled only to a very small Quota of the produce for the future, and very likely nothing at all for what is past, the Sheaf or Tythes of the Rectory of Freemington, being subjected to the Payment of £50 per Annum to the Minister of Ilfracomb, and £50 per Annum to the Lecturer of Fremington. They are obliged as I am informed by the present reduction of those Tythes, the former to take up with nothing, and the Latter viz. the Lecturer has had sometimes Ten pounds, and sometimes not 5 pounds per Annum but what he could get, for which reason it is not likely that the Court of Chancery would oblige the present Receivers of those Tythes to be accountable for what they or their Predecessors had received and spent. And though you might recover after an expensive litigation attended with unspeakable Trouble a small proportion of what you formerly received, it appears at present that it would be so inconsiderable that it would not be worth while to spend 60 or £70 in Law, and it may be more of real money to acquire so uncertain a Right. Upon which Accounts and the difficulty of obtaining sufficient Proofs to clear a Matter that had been so long dormant, it has been thought adviseable to drop it. I acquainted my Friend Mr. Belcher of the middle Temple with all the Steps I had taken, and he is entirely of the same Opinion.293

    I have likewise made the most effectual enquiry I could among the Dissenting Clergy such as the Reverend Dr. Harris, Mr. Chandler, and the Register in London of Charities given for the support of Dissenting Ministers about Mr. Owen Stockton’s294 Legacy of £20 per Annum to the College in New England towards supporting an Indian Convert; or other person, to preach the Gospel among the Indians in Case his only Daughter Sarah should not live to come of Age.

    They all agree that Mrs. Sarah Stockton according to the best accounts they have collected did live to come of age, and was marryed—by which any Claim from our College was determined.

    I should have been glad if the result of these Enquiries had yielded any service to our College—and hope when any Bequests on this side are made to us hereafter they will be pursued and recovered—before they fall into oblivion, for want of which many a Charitable Bequest has been irrecoverably lost here, as experience almost every Term in Westminster Hall evinces.

    I beg my humble Duty may be acceptable to the honourable and Reverend Corporation of our College and that you would believe that I am with great respect

    Reverend Sir

    Your most Obedient humble servant

    Henry Newman

    P.S. My humble service to your good Lady.

    I forwarded your Letter to Mr. Nathaniel Hollis of Peckham under cover to Mr. Isaac hollis who lives in Mansell Street Goodman’s fields, and is I take it his Brother.

    [Endorsed:] Mr. Henry Newman’s letter to the President.

    Wills, Gifts, and Grants, p. 55.