John Francis was born on 26th December 1789 and baptised at Barton Turf on 28th December 1789. He was the son of Robert Francis and Martha Nockolds. He died on 18th September 1877 in Slough aged 88 and was buried in Barton Turf churchyard on 25th September 1877. His wife Johannah died on 13th September 1863 aged 77 and is buried in the same tomb.
In his will he left bequests for the upkeep of his and his families’ graves, for coals, clothing and bread for the poor of the parish, for an annual sermon, for small payments to the parish clerk and for the education of poor children of the parish. An extract of his will resides in the Norfolk Record Office and a transcript of it can be downloaded as a PDF document. As a result, the John Francis Charity was set up and details of the accounts from 1879 to 1962 can be viewed at the Norfolk Record Office. These include the expenditure on coals, flannel and bread each year and a list of those in receipt of the same.
John Francis’s tomb.
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John Francis’s memorial.
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A memorial in Barton Turf Church reads: “In loving memory of John Francis A native of this Parish Who by Will left the interest of £1100, 3 per cent consols, to be expended in the purchase of Clothing Bread & Coals to be distributed during the winter of each year amongst the deserving poor of this Parish who attend the Church. He also left, the interest of a further sum of £750, 3 per cent consols, to be expended Chiefly in and towards the education of the poor Children of this Parish. He also in his lifetime, inserted a beautiful Stained Glass Window over the West door of this Church, In Memory of the Members of his family.”
Part of the Extract from John Francis’s will.
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Part of the John Francis’s Charity Accounts.
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