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A History of the County of Somerset: Volume 6, Andersfield, Cannington, and North Petherton Hundreds (Bridgwater and Neighbouring Parishes). Originally published by Victoria County History, London, 1992.
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CHARITIES FOR THE POOR
Jeffrey Towill, by will dated 1682, left an annual charge of £5 4s. on the rectory for loaves for 12 poor people each week. The charge remained until c. 1919 when a sum was invested to provide the same income. Towill also gave £20 to the parish to yield an annual income for the poor but that gift was lost. (fn. 1) Gifts by Mary Jeane, by will dated or proved 1785 for bread, and by Elizabeth Jeane in 1811 were probably lost before 1826. In 1982 cash was distributed at Easter and Christmas and a harvest supper was held from the income of the Towill charity and four other charities, £100 given by Sir Charles Kemeys-Tynte by will dated 1776, £190 by Mary Escott by will dated 1809 for the poor and for lying-in women, an unknown sum by Frances Coombe by will dated or proved 1853 for dinners for six poor men and six poor women at Easter and Christmas, and £50 by Charles Sweeting by will dated 1869, and from the former education endowment given by Frances and Charles Coombe. (fn. 2) John Jeane by will dated 1790 gave money to help buy tools for the poor, and grants towards the cost of tools were made in the 1980s. (fn. 3)