Population and dissenters: We have Sixty Four Families in our Parish; Of these three are Dissenters, of Presbyterian Denomination. There is no Meeting-House of any kind in the Parish.
Public or charity schools: Mrs Gertrude Pyncomb left Five Pounds by Will to be paid annually forever to a Schoolmaster for Teaching Poor Children of ye parish of Poughill. The Principles of Xn Relligion and also to write & Cast Accounts; Accordingly there are about Fifteen Children now Taught by ye said Master, and brought duly to Church as ye Canon requires. Also Mr. Robert Guy left one Pound by Will to be paid annually forever to a School Master, or School Dame for Teaching four poor Children to learn to read the Bible, & to be instructed in the Church Catechism.
Alms-house, hospital or charitable endowment:
There is no Alms House or Hospital in my Parish. The aforsaid Mrs Pyncombe left to the Rector of the Parish of Poughill by Will £5 annually forever for the repairing & beautifying the Chancell of the said parish on Christmas Day. Mr Brooke left two Pounds annually forever to be destributed to the Poor of the said parish at the same time. And ye abovesaid Mr Robt Guy left one Pound annually forever to be destributed to the Poor of the said parish at the same time. Thomas Carew & John Bampfield Esqrs & the Revd Mr Wrey of Tastock are the Trustees of Mrs Pyncombe’s Benefaction. Mr Brooke’s is lodged in the Hands of the most substantial Inhabitants of the parish at Interest, & Mr Guy’s is payable out of the Tenement of nether Yeadbury’s in the parish of Crywys Morchard. The Benefactions (as far as I have heard, or know) have been & are employ’d according to the Intention of the Donors.
Curate: I have a Resident Curate but not yet Licensed. His Name is John Bayly: He does not Reside in the Parsnage House, but at a Farmer’s House in ye parish very near ye Church: I allow Him Thirty Pounds per annum besides the perquisites.
Frequency of divine service: Divine Service is perform’d in our Church twice every Lord’s Day. We have service on all Holydays that the Parishioners can be prevailed upon to come to Church. We have two sermons every Lord’s Day.
Frequency of communion: Four Times in the year, viz. at Easter, Whitsunday, Michaelmas & Christmas.
Number of communicants: I have not resided long enough in the Parish to be fully acquainted with the number of Communicants in it. My not being in Priest’s Orders obligeth me to give your Lordship a more imperfect Account than I could wish. Those who are constant Communicants inform me those who usually receive are about forty, & that there was near about that number last Easter.
Catechising of children: The Children are catechis’d in our Church twice in the year, viz. in the beginning of the Summer, & at the End of it. The Parishioners are not quite so diligent in sending their Children & Servants to be instructed as they are by Canon required.