In January 1897, the incumbent and church wardens of St James’ Hambridge were informed that by the wills of the late Mr J G A Grueber, £300 was bequethed to the parish in trust, to apply the annual income therof in the purchase of coals and bread, to be distributed on the morning of Christmas Eve in every year. However, the estate of the deceased was insolvent, but on the death of Catherina Grueber, it was partly solvent to the sum of £183-9s-4d. The interest of £2-5s-0d was used on December 21st, 1897 to order 2 tons of coal from Messers Bradford & Co, Langport, to be delivered in carts.

On December 20th, 1897, at a meeting of the three trustees of the George Grueber Charity Trust, a letter was read from Messers Stuckey & Co Ltd, informing the trustees that two pounds five shillings only was available for distribution. It was resolved to spend this sum on Best Bulls Coal. It was resolved to send coal to the following:

Mr & Mrs Job Gillard 2 Cwt (Note 1 'Cwt' = 1 'Hundredweight' = approx 50 kilograms)

Mr & Mrs Bawler 2 Cwt

Widower James Marsh 2 Cwt

Mrs R Bridge 2 Cwt

Henry Louch 2 Cwt

Mrs Letty 1 Cwt

Mrs Grinter 1 Cwt

Widow Mrs J Mead 2 Cwt

Mr & Mrs H Adams 2 Cwt

Mr & Mrs S Brister 2 Cwt

At Westport

Mrs Toleman 1 Cwt

Mrs Touching 1 Cwt

Mr & Mrs S Woodland 1 Cwt

Mrs E Woodland 1 Cwt

Mr C Barrett 1 Cwt

Mrs Susan Barrett 1 Cwt

Mr M Goodland 2 Cwt

Mrs Harriet Brown 1 Cwt

Mrs S Winter 1 Cwt

Mrs Brister 1 Cwt

Mr & Mrs John Edmunds 2 Cwt

Mrs Rice Caroline 1 Cwt

Mr & Mrs G Bridge 2 Cwt

Mr & Mrs T Bridge 2 Cwt

Widower H Millard 2 Cwt

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