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15
Longevity.
The Register of Burial shows interesting instances
of longevity:—
"Wm. Aldridge, wheelwright, was buried the 21st
day of November, 1698, aged 114 years."
"Dec. 6, 1761, buried Margaret Fieldhouse, aged
100 and odd."
"Sept. 4, 1762, buried Mary Hill, aged 100."
Charities.
Acton seems richly endowed with charities which
date back to the year 1612. The parish built some
small houses in the Steyne to be used as almshouses in
the room of some others which were built in the year 172 5
and had fallen into decay. They were again rebuilt in 1887
to commemorate the Jubilee of Queen Victoria.
Public Conduit.
In the year 1612, at the entrance of Acton on the
London side was a convenient conduit made for the
benefit of the public and endowed by Thomas Thorney
with a rent-charge of twenty shillings per annum to keep
it in repair, the overplus to be distributed to the poor.
The parish was in danger of losing this valuable benefaction,
when it was recovered by the timely exertions of
Samuel Wegg, Esq., who, at considerable expense,
instituted a suit in Chancery; and, in the year 1755,
obtained a decree in favour of the parish. Mr. Wegg,
a few years before, had purchased a house which
belonged to Sir Joseph Ayloffe, Bart.
Land Value in the 16th Century.
It appears by the inventory of goods, plate, &c.,
belonging to the different parishes in Middlesex (1 Edw.
VI.) that this parish had half an acre of arable ground,
then valued at eightpence per annum.
The value of land since this date seems to have
risen considerably, the price of a similar piece of land
now fetching about .£1,000.
Growth.
Acton appears to have steadily grown with the other