St. Sidwells, Deanery of Xtianity.

Chanter 225A, 280-281

1. Population and dissenters: About 430. 80 dissenters, chiefly Presbyterians; some Arians. No Meeting house of Dissenters.

2. Public or charity schools: A Charity School for 25 young Children, endow’d with £7 a yearly Cannon Bury. And Fifty Shillings yearly from ye Chamber of Exeter, the Gift of Vilveine Doctor of Physick.

3. Alms-house, hospital or charitable endowment: Webb’s Alms=house for 6 Persons belonging to ye Chamber of Exeter. The Exeter Hospital or Infirmary. Lands & Money given for ye repair of ye Church under ye Direction of Feoffee’s. Lands, yearly value about £10 Part given to ye Poor in Money, and ye remainder given with Children put Apprentice. £100, The Gift of Mr Muffott Lands purchaced therewith for ye use of 10 People yearly. 6 Pounds, the Gift Mrs Webber 10 shillings yearly to 18 poor Persons, and ye Remainder to [the] Almshouse 6 shirts to 6 men ye Gift of Mrs Bussel 6 shifts to 6 widow women ye Gift of Mrs Ester Bussel 6 shirts or shifts the Gift of Tho Smalridge. No Abuses or Frauds have been committed since I had the knowledge of such Benefactions.

4. Residence upon cure: [No answer given]

5. Curate: [No answer given]

6. Divine service at other churches: No.

7. Frequency of divine service: On Wednesdays & Fridays; and twice every Lords Day with a Sermon in ye Morning & afternoon.

8. Frequency of communion: 12, and sometimes 13 Times in the year.

9. Number of communicants: About 160. 80 Usually receive. 140 last Easter.

10. Catechising of children: In the Summer.

11. Chapels or chapels in ruins: The work=house or Hospital in which is a Place for Divine Service but not consecrated; The Chaplain is appointed by ye Governours of the same. St Ann’s, a small Chaple belonging to a few Almshouses distant from ye Church about a Quarter of a Mile, without divine service.

    St Sidwell Curate, William Gater A.B.
    Presb. June 5th 1737.
    Step. Exon. [Explanation]