15th January 1887.

At a Vestry held this day pursuant to due notice of which the following is a copy:

Notice is hereby given that a Vestry will be held in the Vestry Room, Somerton, on Saturday the 15th day of January 1887 at 11 o’clock in the forenoon for the purpose of receiving a statement form the Overseers relative to the collection that may have been made by them of the arrears of the last two Voluntary School Rates, and for granting a new Rate.

                Also for the purpose of making arrangements for the payment of the remaining outstanding accounts respecting the church estate.

                And also for taking steps to obtain the sanction of the Secretary of State for the final and legal closing of Somerton Churchyard against Burials therein.

Dated this 8th day of January 1887.

                                Signed – Fred W Pinney, Wm Nutt junior, churchwardens.

                                                Frederick Gare, John Wyatt, Overseers.

Mr E W Valentine took the chair, and Mr J S Taylor was appointed to take the minutes of the proceedings.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

Mr Wm Snook, Assistant Overseer, produced a statement of the collection of the last two Voluntary School Rates, made respectively on the 2nd Jan 1885 and the 5th Nov 1885, shewing a balance of £3.16.4 due to the Collector, after his deducting £20 due for collecting the said two Rates.

                Mr James Parsons proposed a new Voluntary School Rate of 2d in the £, which was seconded by Mr Wm Hewson and carried.

                Mr William Snook was appointed Collector of such new Voluntary School Rate until lady Day next, for which he was to receive 10% on the amount f the new Rate actually collected by him, stationery and postage to be allowed. No commission to be charged on any arrears, he having been already paid for such.

                The outstanding accounts due from the Church Estate were fully discussed and Mr Wm Nutt, the vicar’s Warden, positively refused to sign cheques in payment of such accounts, and the matter dropped.

                Proposed by Mr Wm Hewson and seconded by Mr George Clark that a communication be sent to the Secretary of State for an order to finally close the Somerton Church and Chapel yards against any further burials therein, and that Mr James Welsh, solicitor, be employed to act in the matter.                      Carried unanimously.

                                Signed – Edmund Wm Valentine, chairman.

25th March 1887.

At a Vestry held this day pursuant to due notice of which the following is a copy:

Parish of Somerton.

Notice is hereby given that a Vestry will be held in the Vestry Room on Friday next the 25th day of March 1887 at 11 o’clock in the forenoon for the following purposes:

1.             for nominating Overseers and Guardians, and appointing Waywardens for the ensuing year.

2.             nominating an Assistant Overseer. The person elected must find bondsmen as security to the amount of £600.

3.             also for the purpose of electing three persons to serve on the Burial Board in place of the three retiring members.

4.             also auditing Burial Board accounts.

5.             also to take the vote of the Parish on admitting the press at meeting s of the Board of Guardians and Highway Board.

                                Signed – Wm Nutt junior, churchwarden.

                                                Frederick Gare, John Wyatt, Overseers.

Dated this 19th day of March 1887.

Mr E W Valentine took the chair.

It was proposed by Mr Hewson and seconded by Mr F S Crocker that a vote of condolence be conveyed to Mrs Parsons of the Lynch on the loss of her husband.                   Carried.

Proposed by Mr C Crocker and seconded by Mr Wm Nutt that Messrs G H Cossins and H W Ord be added to the list of Overseers.                                Carried.

The undermentioned were nominated as Overseers:-

Gaius Walter – George Pittard

George Clark – John Peddle

Edwin Bond – England Brown

George Barnard – William Cox

G H Cossins – W H Ord

John Wyatt – Frederick Gare

Proposed by Mr John Wyatt and seconded by Mr Hilborne that Messrs H W Ord and Wm Nutt junior continue in Office as Guardians, which was carried.

Proposed by Mr J Crocker and seconded by Mr Hilborne that Mr Wyatt stand as Waywarden.

Proposed by Mr Wm Nutt and seconded by Mr F Gare that Mr J Crocker also stand as Waywarden.

Proposed by Mr F H Dickinson and seconded by Mr H W Ord that Mr John Talbot be re-elected Waywarden.

The chairman put it to the meeting and declared that Mr John Wyatt and J C Crocker duly elected Waywardens of the year ensuing.

It was agreed that the salary of the Assistant Overseer should be as follows: - namely £40 per annum for making out and collecting the Poor Rates, £10 for making out and collecting each Sanitary Rare, and also to receive such sum allowed by the revising Barrister in respect of the Voter’s list, it being understood that the Gas and Voluntary School Rates are not included in the above sum of £40.

Mr John Wyatt proposed and Mr Fred’k Gare seconded Mr Wm Hilborne junior as Assistant Overseer.

Mr J B Clark proposed and Mr John Talbot seconded Mr George Mundy to fill that post.

A shew of hands was taken as follows:-

                                Hilborne                                 38

                                Mundy                                   18

So majority for Hilborne = 20.

Mr J B Clark demanded a poll on behalf of Mr George Mundy, and the chairman fixed Monday next the 28th April to take such a poll, at the old Justice Room at the Town Hall between the hours of 11 and 4 o’clock.

Messrs John Wyatt and James Nutt were re-elected members of the Burial Board.

Mr Wyatt proposed and Mr Barnard seconded Mr F S Crocker be appointed member of the Burial Board in the place of Mr John Head.                      Carried.

Proposed by Mr F H Dickinson and seconded by Mr James Snook that in future all sums received by the Clerk of the Burial Board be paid into the Bank to the credit of the Burial Board, and all payments be made by cheque and not by cash.                                Carried unanimously.

Mr Wyatt proposed and Mr Hewson seconded that this Vestry recommend the Press to be admitted to all meetings of the Langport Board of Guardians and Highway Meetings.                  Carried.

                The following is a list of the Burial Board:-

John Wyatt, F S Crocker, A Braine, H W Ord, James Nutt, G H Cossins, John Talbot, Col Pinney, Rev W H Strong.

The result of the poll for the appointment of Assistant Overseer held on Monday 28th March 1887 between the hours of 11 and 4 o’clock was as follows:

                                                Hilborne                                 227

                                                Mundy                                   125

So majority for Hilborne is 103, and Mr Hilborne was therefore declared duly elected.

                                Signed – Edmund Wm Valentine, chairman.

16th April 1887.

At a Vestry held this day pursuant to due notice of which the following is a copy:

Notice is hereby given that a Vestry will be held in the Vestry room, Somerton, Somerset, on Saturday 16th April 1887 at 11 o’clock in the forenoon for the purpose of examining the churchwardens’ accounts for the past year, and of appointing fit persons to serve the office of churchwardens for the year ensuing.

                Also for the purpose of producing the Charity and school accounts, and any matters relating thereto.

Dated the 9th day of April 1887.

                                Signed – Fred W Pinney, Wm Nutt junior, churchwardens.

                                                G Pittard, G Walter, Overseers.

Mr Valentine took the chair.

The churchwardens’ accounts were produced and found correct.

Captain Pinney having resigned as churchwarden, it was proposed by Mr Wm Hilborne junior and seconded by Mr John Peddle that Mr E W Valentine be appointed Parish churchwarden for the year ensuing.                    Carried unanimously.

The School and Charity accounts were audited and found correct.

Mr Hilborne junior was appointed Collector of the Voluntary School Rate for which he was to receive ten percent on such sums actually collected by him, stationery and postage to be allowed.

Mr Ord proposed and Mr J W Watts seconded that this Vestry receives Capt Pinney’s resignation as Parish Churchwarden with regret – unanimously carried.

A vote of thanks was also accorded to the chairman for presiding.

                                Signed – Wm Nutt, chairman.

12th April 1887.    {May}

At a Vestry held this day pursuant to due notice of which the following is a copy:

Notice is hereby given that a Vestry will be held in the Vestry Room, Somerton, Somerset on Thursday 12th May 1887 at 11 o’clock in the forenoon for the purpose of granting the Overseers a Poor Rate to meet the current expenses of the next half year.

Dated the 7th day of May 1887.                        Signed by Wm Nutt junior, E W Valentine, churchwardens.

                                                G J Walter, George Pittard, Overseers.

Mr Wm Nutt junior in the chair.

It was proposed by Mr Wyatt and seconded by Mr Wm Peddle that a rate of 1/1 be granted the Overseers.                   Carried.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

                                Signed – Edmund W Valentine, chairman.

14th July 1887.

At a Vestry held this day pursuant to due notice of which the following is a copy:

In pursuance of a notice received from the Inspectors for the Parish of Somerton, duly appointed under the Act of 3 & 4 Wm 4 chapter 90, we do hereby give notice that a meeting of the Ratepayers of the said parish will be held in the Vestry Room in the said Parish on Thursday 14th July 1887 at 11 o’clock in the forenoon, for the purpose of the said Inspectors producing their accounts and vouchers, and for the election of Inspectors, for the execution of the said Act, and for determining the amount of money to be raised for the purposes of the said Act for the current year.

                And also to enquire into the reasons why a Rate made and granted for lighting purposes at a Vestry held on 17th June 1886 has never yet been levied and collected.

Dated this 9th day of July 1887.

                                Signed – Edmund Wm Valentine, Wm Nutt junior, churchwardens.

Mr E W Valentine in the chair.

It was proposed by Mr H J Watts and seconded by Mr Estlin that a rate of 6d in the £ be granted, which was carried.

The Assistant Overseer was appointed collector of the arrears of the last rate for which he was to receive £1.5.0.

For making and collecting the new Rate £2.10.0.

No persons were proposed for the office of Inspectors.

                                Signed – John Wyatt, chairman.

September 8th 1887.

At a Vestry held this day pursuant to due notice of which the following is a copy:

Notice is hereby given that a vestry will be held in the Vestry Room, Somerton, on Thursday next the 8th September at 11 o’clock in the forenoon or the purpose of considering the proposed new basis or standard for the County of Somerset for four and equal county rates under the statute 15 & 16 Victoria cap 81 so far as it affects this Parish.

                And also to grant the Overseers a Sanitary Rate to meet the demand made on them by the Rural Sanitary Authority.

Mr John Wyatt in the chair.

After a discussion it was decided that in the interest of this parish the proposed new basis or standard should be appealed against, and that another Vestry should be called on Thursday next for to take such steps as should be deemed necessary in the matter.

It was also proposed by Mr John Peddle and seconded by Mr W H Hunt that a Sanitary Rate of 6d in the £ be granted, which was carried.

A vote of thanks was given to the chairman for presiding, and the minutes of the last meeting wee read and confirmed.

                                Signed – John Wyatt, chairman.

September 15th 1887.

At a Vestry held this day pursuant of due notice of which the following is a copy:

Notice is hereby given that a Vestry will be held in the Vestry Room, Somerton, on Thursday next September 15th at 11 o’clock in the forenoon, for the purpose of taking the necessary steps to appeal against the rating of this parish, and also the appointment of a Committee to attend such an appeal on behalf of this parish.

Dated this 10th September 1887.

                                Signed – Edmund Wm Valentine, churchwarden.

                                                G Walter, Overseer.

Mr John Wyatt in the chair.

After a long discussion it was proposed and carried that an adjourned meeting should be held in the Vestry Room on Thursday 22nd September.

September 22nd 1887.

At the adjourned meeting held this day in the Vestry Room, Somerton, Mr John Wyatt in the chair, it was proposed by Mr Coggan and seconded by Mr Ord that Mr Wyatt with the Assistant Overseer should represent this parish at Highbridge; and that all expenses incurred by them should be paid by the parish.

                It was also proposed by Mr F S Crocker and seconded by Mr Ord that a solicitor should be employed to act for this parish, both propositions being carried unanimously.

                                Signed – Wm Henry Strong, chairman.

November 3rd, 1887.

At a Vestry held this day pursuant of due notice of which the following is a copy:

Notice is hereby given that a Vestry will be held in the Vestry Room, Somerton on Thursday November 3rd at 11 o’clock in the forenoon for the purpose of granting the Overseers a Poor Rate for the next half year.

                And to consider the advisability of getting the Tithe Apportionment Map &c put in proper order. and also to provide a chest for the keeping of the parish books, and to decide where the same shall in future be deposited, for the inspection of the ratepayers.

Dated October 29th 1887.

                                Signed – Edmund Wm Valentine, Wm Nutt junior, churchwardens.

                                                G Walter, Overseer.

Proposed that a Poor Rate be granted the Overseers of 1/7 in the £ by Mr Watts and seconded by Mr Coggan and carried. And a Committee was appointed consisting of Capt Pinney and Mr Watts to arrange for the purchase of a chest and to procure the sanction to deposit the map &c at the Police station

Mr Hewson gave notice that at the next meeting he should move that in future the Vestrys be held at 7 o’clock in the evening, instead of 11 in the forenoon – as at present.

                                Signed – Edmund Wm Valentine, chairman.

November 10th 1887.

At a Vestry held this day pursuant to due notice of which the following is a copy:

Notice is hereby given that a Vestry will be held in the Vestry Room Somerton on Thursday next, November 10th at 11 o’clock in the forenoon for the purpose of granting the Overseers a Sanitary Rate to meet the demand made on them by the Rural Sanitary Authority.

                Also to grant a Poor Rate in place of the one granted on Thursday last.

Dated November 5th 1887.

                                Signed – E W Valentine, churchwarden.

                                                George Pittard, G Walters, Overseers.

On the minutes of the last meeting being read Mr Hewson objected to their being signed stating that a notice which he had given at the last Vestry had not been inserted. Mr Hewson also moved that this Vestry do now adjourn until 7 p.m. this evening which was agreed to.

E W Valentine in the chair.

At the adjourned meeting which was held at 7 p.m. W E Valentine in the chair, it was proposed by Mr Bevan Clark and seconded by Mr Hewson that Mr John S Taylor be the Vestry Clerk for this evening, the usual Vestry Clerk having refused to enter Mr Hewson’s motion on the ground that it was not legal, Mr Taylor having consented Mr Clark moved that in the absence of documents a Sanitary Grant be not granted. Mr Wyatt seconded.

Proposed by Mr Wyatt and seconded by Mr John Peddle that a poor rate of 1s 2d in the £ be made in place of the 1/9 in the £ granted at the last Vestry.

Mr Hewson proposed and Mr Stephen Edwards seconded that this meeting of Ratepayers and Householders of Somerton in Vestry assembled request the Parish officers to call all future Vestries at 7 p.m. in the evening.                       Carried unanimously.

                                Signed by Wm Henry Strong, chairman, Wm Nutt junior, E W Valentine.

November 25th 1887.

At a Vestry held this day pursuant to due notice of which the following is a copy:

A Vestry will be held on Friday 25th at 7 o’clock in the evening for the purpose of considering the desirability of either mortgaging or sell part of the church property if required and applying the proceeds thereof towards the restoration of the Parish Church, and for any other business connected therewith.

Dated this November – 1887.

                Signed E W Valentine, W Nutt junior, churchwardens.

                                                G Walter, G Pittard, Overseers.

Rev W Strong in the chair.

After considerable discussion it was proposed by Mr Isherwood and seconded by Mr Hewson that a committee be appointed to collect subscriptions for the restoration of the Parish Church and a Public Meeting be called as early as convenient. The following gentlemen were appointed on the Committee.

Earl of Ilchester, Col Pinney, Capt Pinney, H W Ord, J Wyatt, J Crocker, F Crocker, J Vincent, W Poole, W Williams, H Atkinson, W Jennings, J Nutt, G Barnard, H Hewitt, W Peddle, J Snook, J Peddle, W Hewson.

                Signed – Fred W Pinney, chairman.

December 22nd 1887.

At a Vestry held this day pursuant to due notice of which the following is a copy:

A Vestry meeting will be held on Thursday 22nd instant in the Old Vestry Room, Somerton, at 7 o’clock in the evening for providing funds for carrying on the West End Infant School, the Voluntary Rate collected being not sufficient to pay the expenses.

Dated December 17th 1887.

                                Signed – Wm Nutt junior, churchwarden.

                                                G Walter, overseer.

It was proposed by Mr E W Valentine and seconded by Mr John Wyatt that the Voluntary Rate granted in January 1887 be collected and the result be laid before another Vestry meeting to be called for that purpose.                               Carried.

F W Pinney Esq in the chair.

                                Signed – William Henry Strong, chairman.