This relates evidently to the same person: the other notices are as follow:— 1688 July 1. John Clements and Eliz. Birkhead. 1689 Aug 20. Edward Nowell and Eliz. Birkhead. 1693 April 27. Thomas Rouse and Hester Birkhead. 1694 July 15. Richard Wright and Eliz. Birkhead. 1694 Aug 27. James Birkhead, Joyner, of St. Andrews, Holborn; and Anne Jinks, spinster of St. Giles’ in ye fields. 1705 Feb 10. John Birkhead and Ann Gurney. 1723 June 18. Edward Brind of Buckingham, Batch, and Elizabeth Birkhead, of St. Martin’s in ye fields, spinster. {90} Here my account of this ancient foundation, which has afforded, bodily and spiritually, aid to thousands, before the more splendid structures which now eclipse it were erected, must close. I own I feel a deep interest in the old place, shorn as it is of its usefulness in great measure; and it is with regret I am compelled to bear witness against those superiors of the venerable Abbey, to which it was attached, for permitting its decay to go on, without one single attempt to renovate it with fresh life and vigour. I cannot find that they have for the last 150 years aided it, or held out the parental hand in any way. They have appointed its ministers, have allowed them a miserable endowment, and this is the sum of their support. With the rentals they have drawn from Knightsbridge for so lengthened a period, Church and Hospital ought now to stand, both flourishing in useful prosperity, monuments alike to the piety of our ancestors, and to the conservative care of their descendants, who had striven to emulate their goodness by the extension of the blessings their bounty bestowed. Is it so, that in this district nothing can be done in the nineteenth to remedy the faults of the eighteenth century? In connection with Trinity Chapel was a school, founded in 1783, chiefly by the exertions of John Read, who will be hereafter further noticed. The education afforded was substantially good, better than most schools of the same kind generally afforded, and was entirely free. Its support was derived from the contributions of the public, and collections at the Chapel. For many years the number was limited to 34 boys and 18 girls, but in 1832 it was increased to 45 boys and 25 girls, beyond which number the income of the Committee would not allow them to extend. To Mr. Kember, its Treasurer, for many years the institution mainly owed its existence; but at length, in 1844, the subscribers at a general meeting transferred the institution, and attached it to the new church of St. Paul. Before this school was founded it would seem one of a similar kind had previously existed, for Northvouck mentions one here, but with 6 boys and 6 girls only. * * * * * ST. PAUL’S CHURCH.—In this section the two churches to which the Hamlet of Knightsbridge mainly pertains will be described. St. Paul’s claims priority.