Hext almshouses, Somerton

Somerton was blessed with many charities including these almshouses built by Sir Edward Hext in 1626 in West Street. His widow Dorothy endowed them with £50 charged on Middleney manor. She decreed that there should be 8 almsmen aged over 50, 4 from Somerton, 2 from Langport and 22 from High and Low Ham, chosen by herself or her successor at Low Ham and two magistrates. Each inmate was to have 2s a week, coal and a coat for Christmas. Prayers were to be said every morning, preferably by one of the inmates.

By the 19th century the income was inadequate and left nothing for maintenance so houses were left unoccupied. From 1883 there were only four inmates and the house was remodelled with alternate doors being blocked up. In 1967 the rear sculleries were converted into bathrooms and kitchens.

Originally the houses were of one room with a door to the street and a niche when inmates could sit and watch the world go by. A bellcote housed a bell, which would have been used to summon them to prayers. The building is inscribed 'E.H. He hath Dispersed abroad and Given to the Poor His Benevolence Remaineth for ever1626.