By T. H. Baker. 



307 



Willm Rogers of Mere one tree, Mr. Andrew Eweus of Pen one tree, Mr. 

 Augustine Goldsbrough one tree. Mr. ffrancis Potter pson of Kilmingtou gave 

 ten shilliugs. Mr. ffeeld pson of Stourton gave ffyve shillings. 



" Item many of the pishioners of Meere gave their good wills some in money 

 and some in carriage for the said building which said house soe built cost over 

 and besides the said guifts gyven at the time of the building out of the said 

 stocke 63 „ 12 „ 6. 



" Item it is ordered as well w th the consent of the whole parish as alsoe by 

 those whose names are hereafter sett Downe and subscribed for and in the behalfe 

 of the whole pish. That all those poore people that are now placed and heareafter 

 to be placed to Dwell in the said Almshouse shall leave all such goods and 

 household stuffe as they or anie or either of them shall have of their owne at 

 the tyme of their decease to the onlie pper use benefitt and behoofe of the said 

 Almshouse for ever unlesse anie or either of them shall have Childe or Children 

 of their owne lyveing at the tyme of their decease to gyve their said goods unto. 



" 1638. 



" The names of all those poore people w ch are nowe put into the said Almshouse 

 to dwell there viz. George Robyus and Welthyan his wife, John Alford and his 

 wife, Thomas Allen and his wife, Robte Rake thelder and his wife, Willm Olliffe 

 and Aun his wife, Christofer Casse and his wife, Honnor Browne, John Alfcrd and 

 his wife, Elizabeth Kendell, Edward Lawrauce." 



The report of the Charity Conmdssioners (1836) says : — 



M The whole almshouse has constantly been occupied by four poor families of 

 the parish of Mere, each family haviug one room below and one above. There 

 is no ground belonging to it. The poor families are appointed by the overseers. 

 When the families put in are diminished by going out to service, death, or other- 

 wise, they are removed and otherwise provided for, and their place supplied by 

 others more numerous. The parish repair the house, which is now in good 

 condition. The inmates are entirely supported out of the rates." 



The old almshouse having become untenantable and ruinous some 

 twenty years ago, the site and materials thereon were sold by order 

 of the vestry and £20 — the proceeds of the sale — was invested in 

 the Official Trustees of Charitable Funds at the Bank of England 

 in 1880. This sum, with the interest accumulated, is now amalga- 

 mated with other minor charities. 



Mere Forest Charity. 



This charity consists of about eighty acres of land in the parish 

 of Gillingham, on which a farm-house and homestead were erected 

 in 1857. These lands were given as compensation for the surrender 



