306 Notes on the History of Mere. 
present Church clock, and his name is also occasionally seen on old 
household clocks of the period. Sir R. C. Hoare says the Ship 
Inn was built on the site of a house in which Sir John Coventry 
resided about 1720, 
Bower’s Cuartry.! 
Mere is rich in charities, although several are lost, which will be 
named hereafter. 
“William Bower, of Mere by his will dated 24th February 1633 gave unto 
such of the poor people of Mere as he should limit and appoint, one yearly rent- 
charge of 20 shillings issuing out of the fourth part of those two grounds of 
meadow and pasture called Little Lyons and Fisherhayes lying in Mere 
Woodlands in the parish of Mere containing by estimation 30 acres. He directed 
that upon Three days in the yeare viz upon the ffeast day of St. Thomas 
Thapppostle, Imediately after evening prayer six shillings and eightpence and 
upon Good fryday Immediately after evening prayer the like sum of six shillings 
and eightpence, And upon the Ascension of o' Lord Jesus Christ the Jike sum 
of six shillings and eightpence, Immediately after evening prayer payment be 
made and distributed at the High Alter in the Channcell of the parish Church of 
Mere to five poor people then dwelling within the said parish, the poor of his 
blood and kindred within the said parish, poor housekeepers and widows there 
having charge of children and ashamed to beg or otherwise truly in distress 
being remembered before others.” 
Tur ALMsHoUseE.? 
‘Was erected in 1638. It contained four rooms below and four rooms over 
the same, and was built wth pte of the stocke of the Poore then remaynipg in 
the hands of some of the pishioners and others. The w* stocke was heretofore 
given by the Charitable benevolence of well disposed people at their Deaths and 
some otherwise. In which said yeare 1638 Ann Lucas the Daughter of James 
Lucas died a young mayden of the age of Eighteen yeares and gave flyve pounds 
to the Poore of Meere whereof ffower poundes was bestowed towards the building 
of the said Almshouse for a memoriall of her great Charitie towards the poore. 
‘The other Twentie shillings was bestowed on the poor at her funerall. 
“Item there was gyven by the Princes highness Comissioners aforesaid and 
others of his Councell Six Tunn of tymber w* was taken out of the Prynces 
Comon called Knowle for the said howse. 
“Item there was given by certeyn gentlemen of the pish of Meere and other 
places Tenn tymber trees viz. Mr. Willm. Willoughby of Knoyle one tree, Mr. 
Christofer Dirdo of Milton one tree, Mr. Major of Silton one tree, Mr. 
Willm Dodington of Meere, one tree, Mr. Willm Awbrey of Chawdenwich one 
tree, Mr. Willm Martyn one tree, Mr. Willm Coombes of Norton one tree, Mr- 
1 Extracted from the Mere churchwardens’ book. 
2 Fyom the churchwardens’ book of Mere. 
