John Hammond left money in his will of 1642 to found Hammonds Charity the passage below is an extract. The original cottages were rebuilt in 1877  by William Hanscombe of Pirton Grange.

Item I give and bequeth unto the use of the poore of the parrish of Pirton aforesaid the
sume of one hundred pounds in manner and forme following the said £100 to be put
forth by my executors with the consent of Robert Hamond and John Hamond his brother
their heires and successor and the churchwardens and overseers for the poore of Pirton
aforesaid for the tyme being or the greatest part of them for six pounds by ye year the
said £100 to remain so in stock for the poore of Pirton aforesaid forever with £6 yearly
shall be for the placing and finding of one apprentice or more out of the Towne of Pirton
aforesaid of the poorest sort to some honest trade with the consent of my executors the
said Robert Hamond and John Hamond their heires and successors and the
churchwardens and overseers for the poore for the tyme being or the greatest part of
them and further my will and meaning is that the said £100 shall be layed out in lande
as soon as conveniently may be the money to be putt forth within 18 moneths next after
my decease or sooner if money come in.

Item my will and meaning is that Thomas Hamond and John Hamond his sonne shall
permit and suffer the widow Smith to dwell rent free in her now dwelling house in Pirton
aforesaid during her life.
And also shall permit and suffer the widdow Arnold to dwell rent free in the next tenant
during her life 

And my will and meaning is that the said Thomas Hamond and John Hamond his sonne
their heires and successors shall from tyme to tyme place other poore in the said
tenement to dwell there rent free forever and so to continue to the towne rent free
forever to place two poore people in.