POOR BROTHERS, in the charity-house, a denomination given to decayed gentlemen, to the number of 80, who are subsisted with diet, clothing, and lodging, on the establishment. The poor brothers are to be gentlemen by descent, come to poverty; or decayed merchants, soldiers, or officers of the king's household. The conditions of admission are, that they have no estate.
Brother
Broughton. estate for life worth 200l. nor coming in viis et modis, 24l. per annum; and that they be 50 years old, unless they have been maimed in the the public service; in which case, the age of 40 suffices. They wear a livery gown within doors.