William Vaughan (philanthropist) facts for kids

William Vaughan (died around May 1580) was an English landowner and farmer who lived in the mid-1500s. He was known for his kindness and generosity. William lived in the areas of Dartford and Erith in Kent, England. He worked for both King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I. Today, he is mostly remembered for helping to start Dartford Grammar School.

William Vaughan's Life and Family

William Vaughan had a cousin named James Vaughan who lived in Swanscombe. William was very generous. In his will, he left money to help poor people in Dartford, Stone, and Erith. This shows he cared a lot about these areas.

William Vaughan became connected to Dartford around 1536. At that time, he worked for King Henry VIII. The King gave him the lease for a large estate called Bignors Manor. This estate had once belonged to a group of nuns in Dartford. William Vaughan also managed two water-mills, which were used to grind wheat and malt. After William Vaughan passed away, these mills were taken over by John Spilman, who was one of the first people to make paper in England.

In 1545, William Vaughan was listed as a skilled archer in Dartford. He was part of a group led by John Byer, who was also a generous person in the community.

Marriages and Children

William Vaughan was married at least two times. His first wife, Joan, was buried in Dartford in September 1569.

He married again in August 1571 in London. His second wife was Alice Lane. William Vaughan knew both of Alice's previous husbands. Alice passed away in 1581.

William Vaughan had at least two children with his first wife, Joan. His son, Charles, was born around 1544 but sadly passed away in January 1571. His daughter, Elizabeth, was born around 1541. She married William D'Aeth, who was a lawyer. Elizabeth was buried in Dartford in April 1582.

Helping the Community (Philanthropy)

William Vaughan was a very generous person. This is called philanthropy.

In September 1569, soon after his first wife Joan passed away, William Vaughan gave a new house and its garden in Dartford to be used by the poor people of the town. This house was later rebuilt and eventually sold. At this time, William Vaughan was working for the Queen.

In March 1576, William Vaughan, along with his son-in-law William D'Aeth, made a special agreement. They gave a house and garden on Dartford's High Street to a group of people called trustees. The plan was to use the money from renting out this house to pay a teacher for the new Grammar School. This agreement from 1576 is usually seen as the official start date of Dartford Grammar School. The school didn't have its own building at first. Instead, classes were held in a room above the Market House.

William Vaughan passed away in 1580 and was buried in Dartford in May of that year. In his will, he continued his generosity. He left money for:

• "the moste poorest people of Darteford aforeseyd clothe to the valewe of 40s to make theym cotes." (This means he left money for clothes for the poorest people in Dartford.)
• "the pore and needy people of Stone nere Dartford 13s 4d"
• "unto the poore people of Erythe 20s"

Most of his money and belongings went to his daughter Elizabeth's family. He also left a lot of farm animals to his granddaughter, Johane Vaughan. William Vaughan also mentioned his sister and his cousin James Vaughan in his will, leaving them some money.

William Vaughan's name is still remembered today in Dartford. One of the houses at Dartford Grammar School is named after him.