Tablet in the Vestry
In the vestry of our Church an inscribed tablet is mounted on the wall.
It reads as follows :-
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ANNO DOMINI 1695
THOMAS WHITE ROBERT WATTS RICHARD RAYNOLDS
AND EDITH WHITE GAVE TO THE PARISH OF OKEFORD
FITZPAINE VARIOUS SUMS OF MONEY AMOUNTING COL
LECTIVELY TO 80 POUNDS; THE YEARLY INTEREST OF
WHICH, WAS TO BE APPLIED TO THE PURCHASE OF LINEN
CLOTH, FOR SHIRTS OR SHIFTS, TO BE GIVEN AT CHRIST
MAS TO SUCH POOR PERSONS, MEN OR WOMEN, OF GOOD
CHARACTER, AS SHOULD NOT RECEIVEPAROCHIAL RELIEF.
A.D. MAY 1ST 1706
THE REVD JOHN FREKE (RECOTR), WILLIAM BENNETT,
THOMAS WHITE, HENRY HOWE, RICHARD WILLIAMS,
AND OTHERS, EXPENDED 65 POUNDS IN THE PURCHASE
OF A FREEHOLD PIECE OF GROUND CALLED LINCH,
CONTAINING BY ESTIMATION THREE ACRES, MORE OR
LESS, SITUATE IN THE PARISH OF HAZELBURY BRIAN;
AND VESTED THE REMAINING 20 POUNDS IN THE HANDS
OF THE RECTOR FOR THE TIME BEING, THE ANNUAL
PROCEEDS OF WHICH, AND ALSO OF THE LAND, TO BE
APPLIED ACCORDING TO THE INTENTIONS, OF THE DONORS.
VESTED IN THE RECTOR FOR THE TIME BEING AND 15
OTHER PERSONS, THE TWO SURVIVING TRUSTEES TO
CONVEY THE LAND TO 16 OTHERS.
GEORGE RIVERS HUNTER RECTOR.
A.D. 1844. THOMAS FURNELL CHURCHWARDEN.
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£80 IN 1695 = £17,000 IN 2020
£80 IN 1706 = £19,500 IN 2020
£80 IN 1844 = £10,400 IN 2020
Who were these people whose names are given ?
Who were their successors ?
Where is the 3-acre field called “Linch” in Hazelbury Brian ?
If it was sold, when ? & for how much ? & who owns it now ?
What happened to the fund ?
Is there a list of recipients ?
