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Hugh Sexey’s Hospital was founded in 1638 under the Will of Hugh Sexey who died in 1619. He appointed Trustees to oversee his accumulated wealth and Estates. “Upon trust and confidence that the said estates shall be employed to such charitable and good used as the said Trustees should appoint”.
The Trustees commissioned the construction of the original Hospital and this was completed in 1632. By 1638 the Trustees, also known as the Visitors, had incorporated the organisation and founded the Hospital with the mandate ‘for relief and maintenance of elderly persons or honest life and good reputation’. The original Hospital housed 12 men and 12 women. In the intervening years additional buildings were constructed and part of the site was used as a school. Excess funds from the landed estates were used for the provisions of educational grants to local schools. The welfare of residents and day to day management of the Hospital is overseen by the Master, a Matron, Assistant Matron, Housekeeper and Gardener. There are currently 21 residents within the Hospital. The site contains a group of buildings as follows;
The Hospital is located on the south side of Bruton High Street with considerable tended grounds running down to Lower Backway and The River Brue. Sexey's Hospital has traditionally provided for people preferably with a Bruton connection. Admission is by interview, and applicants should be retired, over 65 and in good health. Contact Details: Office: 01749 813172 EMail: Magister@hshbruton.co.uk |
‘The relief and maintenance of elderly persons of honest life and good reputation.’
