Founders of the Company's Charities
The founders of the Company's charities are the 21 named benefactors, spanning 1556 to 2015, whose bequests built the charitable trusts and funds that the Saddler's Company administers today, from Robert Kitchin's gift in 1556 to Peter Northall-Laurie's in 2015.
Named Founders
The Company records 21 named founders of its charities, each linked to a bequest or gift and, where known, their office within the Company. The list spans nearly 460 years, from Robert Kitchin's gift of 1556 to Peter Northall-Laurie's in 2015.
- Robert Kitchin, Assistant 1537: 1556
- Robert Reade, Master 1557: 1568
- John Webb, Master 1567: 1568
- John Hall, Warden 1606: 1609
- James Swift: 1610
- Robert Labourne, Master 1615 and 1616: 1627
- Edward Hill, Warden 1645: 1646
- John Cox, Master 1647: 1658
- William Pease, Master 1655 and 1656: 1683
- Richard Banner, Clerk 1671 to 1702: 1698
- Sarah Ewer: 1767
- Samuel Gunton, Master 1765: 1768
- Young George Honnor, Master 1838 and 1860: 1769
- Thomas Cradock, Master 1842 and 1855: 1860
- Charles Cradock, Master 1846 and 1863: 1861
- Benjamin Bacon Williams: 1870
- Grace Kaye, Clerk 1981 to 1994: 1991
- Kingsley Oliver: 1994
- Molly Priestley: 2004
- Mark Sturdy, Master 1979: 2006
- Peter Northall-Laurie, Master 1980: 2015
How These Founders Shaped the Company's Charities
Some founders' gifts became today's named charities directly, such as Robert Kitchin's 1556 bequest, the basis of Kitchin's Charity, and Richard Banner's 1698 gift, which became the Apprenticing Charity. Others, including Robert Labourne, John Cox, Grace Kaye and Molly Priestley, contributed to what are now the Saddler's Company Charitable Fund and Kaye's and Labourne's Charity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded the Saddler's Company's charities?+
The Company names 21 founders, from Robert Kitchin, Assistant in 1537, whose 1556 gift began Kitchin's Charity, to Peter Northall-Laurie, Master in 1980, who gave in 2015.
Which founder's gift is the oldest?+
Robert Kitchin's 1556 bequest is the earliest recorded, forming the basis of Kitchin's Charity.
Which founder's gift is the most recent?+
Peter Northall-Laurie, Master in 1980, is the most recent named founder, giving in 2015.
