JYo/V.v on the J [is for// 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 Charity. 1 



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 Aleve 

 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 1 Lord Jesus Christ the like 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." 



The Almshouse. 2 



"Was erected in 1038. It contained four rooms below and four rooms over 

 the same, and was built wth pte of the stocke of the Poore then remayning in 

 the hands of some of the pishioners and others. The w ch stocke was heretofore 

 given by the Charitable benevolence of well disposed people at their Deaths and 

 some otherwise. In which said yeare 1(338 Ann Lucas the Daughter of James 

 Lucas died a young mayden of the age of Eighteen ycares and gave ffyve 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 rh 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 cue tree, Mr. Willm Coombes of Xorton one tree, Mr- 



Extracted from the 31 ere churchwardens' book. 

 2 From the churchwardens' book of Mere. 



