Six rent-free homes planned in Haddington from solicitor’s legacy

John Richardson, a solicitor who also served as Musselburgh town clerk, died in 1940 and directed that part of his estate should fund cottages for “deserving” people in his home town to live in rent-free, in perpetuity.

After the death of his stepdaughter in 1990, £267,000 was distributed to the former district council in line with his wishes.

His bequest asked his trustees to set aside “a sufficient sum to erect six cottages in the district of Haddington and having same erected – the said cottages shall be used for the occupation thereof by deserving natives of Haddington free of rent, rates and taxes, and the Burgh of Haddington shall out of said residue pay the cost of the erection and conditioning of said six cottages and set aside a sufficient sum to ensure the upkeep of said cottages and the payment of rates and taxes thereof in all time coming.”

Councillors will be asked next week to approve the use of the funds for the construction of six new homes on the site of a former hospital.