Revd the Minister of Crediton Mr Hart

Chanter 232A, 259

  1. Residence, curate and lecturer: I personally reside upon my cure, and in my Vicarage house I have an Assistant Minister. His name is John Ruddal. He is not licenced. The Twelve Governors of Crediton pay Him eighty pounds a year. I have no Lecturer.

  2. Other benefices: I have no more than one Benefice.

  3. Divine service at other churches: I do not perform Divine service at any church besides my own.

  4. Frequency of divine service: Divine service is performed in my Church twice on the Lord's day, with a Sermon in the morning and afternoon. Once every Wednesday with a sermon, and once on every Friday.

  5. Frequency of communion: The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is administered on the first Sunday of every month, and on the grand Festivals. The number of Communicants at the monthly sacrament is between two and three hundred; at the Festivals about five hundred.

  6. Catechising of children: On Sunday in the afternoon during the Summer.

  7. Church fabric: The Church and Chancel are in good repair; The churchyard is well kept and I have all things decent for Divine service.

  8. Glebe terrier: The Glebe is only a meadow of an Acre and quarter.

  9. Number of families: Near twelve hundred.

  10. Chapels: There are three Chapels in the parish. One is in ruins, another is converted to a dwelling house, and the other to a barn or stable!

  11. Papists, dissenters and meeting houses: There is no reputed papist in the parish. There are three meeting-houses for dissenting congregations. Two presbyterian; the other methodistical. The presbyterian teachers are John Berry, and Thomas Jones. The methodistical teacher is Josia Hatch.

  12. School, alms-houses, hospital and charitable endowments: Here is a free Grammar school and a free English school. Here is no hospital. Here are several alms-houses, with charitable endowments. I believe they are duly managed according to the direction of the founders. Here is a library for the use of the vicar, his assistant minister, the master of the grammar school, and the minister of Sandford.

  13. Charity: There have been lands left for charitable uses; but as they are under the direction of presbyterians, I know not how they are supplied. About two years since a benefaction of a thousand pounds was given to be laid out in government security, and the interest to be given to poor widows & poor fatherless children of the parish of Crediton. This benefaction is not yet received.

    Priest's orders and institution: My Institution bears date January 23d 1759: And Priest's Orders, September 23d 1744

    A Letter directed to me at Crediton will best find Your Lordship's dutiful servant
    Samuel Hart
    Crediton May 10th 1779