HISTORY
Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries effectively cut off the main sources of charitable funds for those unable to support themselves. His daughter tried to redress this by way of the Statute of Elizabeth of 1601.
This revolutionised the rules governing charities including passing responsibility to individual parishes who were able to raise taxes to fund their new responsibilities. The Act also established a legal framework for charitable relief, laying the foundation for organisations such as the Clapham Relief Fund to support those in need within the community.
Following the passing of the act a number of charities were set up in Clapham including:
1620 Mr Timothy Reed who gave £1 a year to be given “to these most necessitous Poor of this Parish”
1627 Mr Henry Smith who gave £2 a year for “Two Great Coats for Two Men to be Marked, H.S.”
It is thought that the Reed gift forms the basis of this charity. The Henry Smith Foundation is now a substantial organisation and is a generous supporter of the Clapham Relief Fund which is a nice historical serendipity.
DAVID BATTEN “Clapham, with its Common and Environs; containing an Historical and Topographical Description of the Parish and Manor” 1841
The charity under its present constitution was registered in 1997, combining two charities, both dating from the 1840s. The first of these, The Clapham Sick Poor Fund, was established to provide a local dispensary at 42 Clapham Manor Street. The second, The Clapham Pension Society, aimed to offer pensions to tradesmen living in Clapham.
At the same time, several smaller charities previously administered by the Rector and Church Wardens of Holy Trinity Church Clapham, were transferred to the Clapham Relief Fund.
The assets of all these charities are invested and the income generated is distributed annually. Currently the charity allocates approximately £20,000 each year to support its beneficiaries.
