From the Victoria County History
The pews, elaborately carved in Gothic style, were installed in 1849.
From S G Jarman A Handbook of St Mary's Church Bridgwater 1885
p4
quotes: "The accommodation in this church was increased by re-arranging
the seats in 1853, by which means additional accommodation for 497 persons
was obtained. ... a further grant of £200 by the Bath and Wells
Diocesan Church Building Society, on condition that 834 seats described in
the annexed plan should be set apart and declared to be free for use of the
poor for ever; the provision of church-room previously to the alteration
being to the extent of 827 seats, 200 of which number were free for the use
of the poor. The word free is marked on each free seat. RICHARD, Lord
Bishop of Bath and Wells" etc.
The plan referred to is also affixed to the vestry wall. The conditions as to the free seats were not followed for any long period... now only about 300 remain.
p8
Prior to 1849 ... the old uncomfortable box seats were in vogue, and had two steps leading up to them, but they were replaced by modern benches, the ends only being used again, although they showed no elaborate carving.
p41
There are forty-six free seats in the church, each representing six, seven,
or nine sittings. The church will seat about 1,500. The sums received as pew
rents provide for the payment of £60 yearly toward the salary of a curate, the salary of the organist, lighting the church, attendants &c.
