charity, several documents which clearly show that from the year
1635 to the year 1641 Cromwell was a feoffee or governor, and took an
active part in the management of the affairs of the charity. There
is an original bond, dated the 30th of May, 1638, from one Robert
Newborne to "Daniell Wigmore, Archdeacon of Ely, Oliver Cromwell,
Esq., and the rest of the Corporation of Ely." The feoffees had then
been incorporated by royal charter, under the title of "The Governors
of the Lands and Possessions of the Poor of the City or Town of Ely."

There are some detached collectors' accounts extending over a portion
of the interval between 1622 and 1641, and indorsed, "The Accoumpts
of Mr. John Hand and Mr. William Cranford, Collectors of the Revenewes
belonging to the Towne of Ely."

The following entries are extracted from these accounts:--

"The Disbursements of Mr. John Hand from the
of August 1636 unto the of
1641."

"Anno 1636."

After several other items,--

£ s. d.
"Given to diverse Poore People at ye }
Worke-house, in the presence of Mr. }
Archdeacon of Ely, Mr. Oliver Cromwell, } 16 14 0
Mr. John Goodericke, and others, Feb. }
10th 1636, as appeareth, } ___________