I give and bequeath unto John
Procter, of Henlade, esq. and to his heirs and assignes for ever, all those my Taunton
Dean lands, lying in the parish of Ruishton, which were late the lands of my uncle
Alexander Procter, deceased, subject nevertheless to the payment of the several legacies
and sums of money hereinafter particularly mentioned.
Also I give to the poor housekeepers of the parish of Ruishton, the sum of fifty
pounds, to be distributed amongst them, by and at the discretion of my said trustees, and
the minister and the churchwardens for the time being of the said parish of Ruishton, or
the major part of them, upon the Christmas eve which shall be next after my death.
Also whereas it has been long wished for and desire by the inhabitants of the said
parish of Ruishton, that there should be a divine service performed within the parish
church once every Sunday, as it is now only once a month, I do now hereby give device and
bequeath the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds, to be paid applied and bestowed for and
towards the augmentation of the living of Ruishton, whensoever the same can be effectively
made or obtained, so as there shall be divine service duly and regularly performed in the
said parish church of Ruishton once on a Sunday, according to the true intent and meaning
hereof, otherwise and in the mean time, I do and appoint, that my said trustees shall
place the said sum of one hundred and fifty pounds out at interest, or otherwise bestow
the same to best advantage, and the interest or proceed thereof yearly distribute to and
amongst the poor housekeepers of the parish of Ruishton, at such time and in such manner
as is hereinbefore directed and appointed for the distribution of the aforesaid sum of
fifty pounds.
Also I devise and bequeath the further sum of one hundred pounds, to be by my said
executors placed out at interest, or otherwise bestowed to the best advantage they shall
be able; and my will and desire is, that the interest or the proceeds thereof shall be
from time to time paid applied and bestowed to and for the keeping of poor children of the
parish of Ruishton at school, to learn to read and write, or to bind out such poor
children apprentices, or to and for any other charity within the said parish of Ruishton,
that shall be thought most conducive to the public good, of the honest and industrious
poor, and such as shall have no relief of the said parish, and at such times and in such
manner as my said trustees, together with my said nephew, Martin Strong and his heirs, and
the minister and church wardens of the said parish for the time being, as the major part
of them shall really and conscientiously think and believe will best answer the end hereby
designed.
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