To the Revd Mr Archdeacon Sleech. Vicar of Sidbury in the Diocese of Exeter
Chanter 225C, 1265-1266
[The words 'at my approaching Primary Visitation, and may be deliver'd either to the Register, or to my Secretary' are crossed through and 'and Sent to me under a cover by the General Post' written in the margin. Dated 16 June 1746.]
Population and dissenters: The Number of Families in ye Parish of Sidbury are computed at about 160, of which about thirty are Presbyterians, Who have a licens'd Meeting House in ye Parish, the Teacher in which is Robt. Bartlett.
Alms-house, hospital or charitable endowment: There is no Alms-House or Hospital, but several charitable Benefactions (Viz) Antony Isaac Gent: gave a Meadow value two pounds eleven Shillings per annum. Henry Beaumont of Gittisham Esq in 1549 gave Lands lying in ye Parish of Ashill & Abbots Isle in ye County of Somerset yearly value £13 5s (& six pence high Rent), sixteen Shillings to be distributed yearly to ye most aged & poor People dwelling in Sidbury. Wm: Staple 1637 gave one pound yearly to ye same Uses. There are 12 Feoffees whereof ye Minister is one who have ye direction of these Benefactions: An Estate of near £12 per annum was purchas'd by them 1665, which is applied to ye same Uses. I do not hear or know of any abuse in ye Management of these Charities.
Residence upon cure: To ye 4th Article I answer no, having had ye Indulgence of your Lordships Predecessor, and ye tacit Approbation of your Lordship to reside on my parsonage at Faringdon about eight Miles Distant.
Curate: My Curate's Name is William Jenkins. A.B. Presb: Sepber. 25th 1743. N: Exon. Licesn'd Sepbr 26th 1743 resides in ye Vicarage House; I allow <him> thirty two Guineas Yearly with Surplice Fees & Easter offerings.
Divine service at other churches: Mr. Jenkins my Curate supplies my Church at Faringdon as often as I am at Sidbury which is generally one Sunday in ye Month.
Frequency of divine service: Divine Service is perform'd with a Sermon twice every Lords day, & on Saints days & other occasional days there are prayers, and on some a Sermon.
Number of communicants: The Number of Communicants may be near 140, so many there were last Easter, seldom fewer than 120.
Catechising of children: The Children are catechiz'd according to ye Rubrick on Sundays in ye Afternoon from April till September My Curate assures me the Parishioners are very careful in sending their Children & Servants, to be instructed by him.