Roe’s Charity
Stephen Roe, son of William Roe of Yapton, was taken on as an apprentice for seven years by Thomas Raymond, a Needlemaker of Chichester in 1716 for a sum of £40. Sometime after the completion of his apprenticeship Stephen moved to London where he enjoyed a great deal of success.
He died in 1767 and in his will he instructed that:
"£1200, 3% South Sea annuities should be transferred to the minister, churchwardens and overseers of the parish of Yapton, on trust, that they the said minister, churchwardens and overseers of the poor for the time being, should from time to time receive, pay and supply the interest thereof as follows: viz. £20 yearly towards educating so many poor boys and girls belonging to the parish of Yapton for ever, as should be from time to time chosen by the minister, churchwardens and overseers of the poor of the parish for the time being, or the major part of them, and on the further trust to pay the remaining £16 to other charitable purposes."
This text has been taken from a Charity Report dated 1836.
There is a marble monument on the north side near the chancel with the following inscription:-
"Sacred to the memory of Stephen Roe, Citizen of London, born in this parish and buried at Islington, who by his will, dated Oct. 17th, 1766, gave 1200 pounds (three per cent. South Sea Annuities) to the poor of this parish, yearly for ever."
"The parent hence shall never depart
But love each babe with joyful heart,
To view this church stone.
Here gratitude delights to dwell
And young and old shall always tell
The good that Roe has done.
Soft pity now shall comfort woe,
And ignorance have herself to know,
By bounty taught and fed.
Orphans and widows more and more,
And children yet unborn shall pour
Their blessings on his head."
A.K.Misselbrook 2015
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