Bartholomew Hickling was a Loughborough man who left a lot of money and property in trust after the death of his wife in 1683. There were instructions for the spending of this money in various charitable ventures, including a free school for girls and for buying and distributing Bibles. For the purchase of Bibles, £12 a year was set aside and Woodhouse was one of the places named by Bartholomew Hickling to receive copies of the Bible.