In 1679 Henry Seymour, Lord of the Manor of Langley Marish agreed a scheme with others for the building of a block of almshouses on a piece of land north of the churchyard in a close called Cherry Croft.
Originally there were four almshouses to accommodate four poor Protestant people, two men and two women single, unmarried and well behaved. They were required to attend Divine Service.
Henry died in 1686 and in his will he left money to add another two almshouses to the block making the six that we see today.

Reference
St Mary’s Langley Essays for the Millennium The Almshouses of the Ancient Parish of Langley Marish by Francis E Adams p.23-31

The four Almshouses were founded in 1617 by Sir John Kederminster, Keeper of Langley Park, but not completed until after his death in 1631.
The inner two cottages were reserved for two elderly poor men the outer two for two elderly poor women. The residents wore cloth gowns which were available every two years. A metal badge was worn on the left sleeve.
The residents took it in turn to keep clean the Kederminster Chapel in the Church and to clean the vault every two years. When required they sat in the Chapel on forms for Divine Service and locked up afterwards, keeping the key. One resident was required to attend the Library whilst authorised visitors were present The key to the Library was attached to the girdle of the resident on duty.

A commemorative plaque on the almshouses, dated 1617, was restored in 2004.

(An alternative spelling is sometimes used for the family name, i.e. Kedermister)

Reference
St Mary’s Langley Essays for the Millennium The Almshouses of the Ancient Parish of Langley Marish by Francis E Adams p.23-31