THE WHELPTON ALMSHOUSES.
The Whelpton Almshouses are situated in Queen Street, on its east side, being six small residences, for the reception of deserving poor persons, natives of the town. They were established in the year 1861, under the following circumstances.
The late Mr. Geo. Whelpton was a shoemaker, occupying a small shop, one of several then standing in the Market Place, on or near the site of the present Stanhope Memorial; [142a] the whole of these being cleared away when the late Honble. Edward Stanhope presented that piece of ground to the town, for the enlargement of the Market Place. He resided in a small house in Stonewell Row, but afterwards removed into better premises in Queen Street. While living in Stonewell Row he purchased some furniture cheap, at an auction, and in a drawer of one of the articles purchased he found a recipe, said to have been written by a Boston doctor, for the medicine eventually to become known universally as “Whelpton’s Pills” (a powerful stomachic, for kidney diseases, &c.), and from the sale of which he and other members of his family realised large fortunes. [142b] His wife had been for some time in a bad state of health, and after she had consulted various doctors without deriving any benefit from their treatment, he decided to try for her the prescription which had thus accidentally come into his possession. The result was so satisfactory that other sufferers applied to him for the pills, which for a time he freely gave to his neighbours; ultimately, however, these applications became so numerous that he was obliged to make a charge.
As he began to realise a considerable income from this source, he gave up the shoemaking business, and left Horncastle; his first move being to Derby, [142c] where he occupied a residence known as “St. Anne’s House,” afterwards moving to London, where he, at first, lived in Crane Court, Fleet Street, which still continues to be the depot of the pill business. He subsequently
moved to a better part of the metropolis, taking up his residence at 1, Albert Road, Regent’s Park, where he remained for several years, until he finally settled in Warrior Square, Hastings.
While residing in London his wife [143a] had another illness, from which she eventually died, in 1859; and feeling her loss very acutely he decided, after a time, to erect the almshouses to her memory. [143b]
Among the documents preserved in connection with this charity, is the original letter of George Whelpton, dated March 18, 1861, giving instructions that the building of the almshouses should be immediately taken in hand. The Indenture itself is dated March 21st, 1861, and among its terms are the following: “This agreement is between Richard Clitherow, of Horncastle, Gentleman, surviving trustee and executor of the will of Samuel Curtis Lomas, late of Blencogo, Co. Cumberland, Surgeon, of the first part; George Whelpton, of No. 1, Albert Road, Regent’s Park, Middlesex, of the second part; and William Thompson Whelpton, of No. 69, Gloucester Crescent, Regent’s Park, Middlesex, Gent., and Rev. Henry Robert Whelpton, of Upton Park, Slough,
Bucks., on the third part.” In accordance with this agreement certain lands comprising, with others, the future site of the almshouses, situated on the east side of what was then called Union Street, the property of the said Samuel Curtis Lomas, were acquired through the said Mr. Richard Clitherow, for Mr. G. Whelpton, for the purposes of the charity, with the above relatives as co-trustees. The sum of £1,000 was also conveyed as endowment of the charity, to the trustees.
It was provided by the agreement that the inmates of the houses should be selected from persons who were fit and deserving subjects of the charity, indigent, but of good character, not recipients of parish relief, and not under 45 years of age; and that any, becoming guilty of immorality, should forfeit their privileges. The power of selection of inmates was vested in the trustees, assisted by the vicar and churchwardens of the parish; a clause being added, that, in case of the trustees being incompetent, by reason of infancy or idiocy, the vicar and churchwardens should select. The weekly allowance to the inmates was to be 3s. 6d.
The agreement to this effect was signed, sealed, and delivered, by the said George Whelpton, in the presence of Richard Clitherow, Solicitor, and Charles Dee, Solicitor, both of Horncastle. It was further signed by George Whelpton and William Thompson Whelpton, in the presence of Robert Cunliffe, Solicitor, of 43, Chancery Lane, London; and by Henry Robert Whelpton, in the presence of John Adams Cree, Clerk in Holy Orders, of Upton Park, Slough, Bucks. Appended is a receipt, signed by Richard Clitherow, and witnessed by Charles Dee, shewing that, at the date of the Indenture, the sum of £101 5s. was paid by George Whelpton for the purchase of the site of the almshouses.
This agreement was examined on Feb. 7th, 1888, in the Court of Justice, London, before Mr. Justice Chitty, on an enquiry being made as to the estate of William Thompson Whelpton, deceased, at the instance of the Rev. Henry Robert Whelpton, and Stephen Whelpton; when the Court declared that the direction in the will of the testator, as to the endowment of the charity, was a “valid charitable bequest of £1,000,” and the money “invested in three per cents. Consols, for the following purposes”: (1) for the repair of the alms-houses; (2) to pay each occupant 3s. 6d. per week; (3) in case of there being any surplus, to pay them so much more as the trustees should think fit. A clause was added, empowering the Charity Commissioners, from time to time, to order any part of the income to be applied to special purposes, as they might think desirable.
We may add that while residing at Hastings, Mr. George Whelpton secured two acres of land, at Eastbourne, from the Duke of Devonshire, the owner of the whole town, as he is also of Buxton; and at a cost of about £20,000, erected and endowed the church and vicarage of St. Saviour’s, which was held by his youngest son, Henry Robert, who graduated at St. John’s College, Cambridge, and was afterwards made Canon of Chichester. This benefice is private property, and is now held by his son, Henry Urling Whelpton, of Pembroke College, Cambridge.
The head of the Whelpton family may now be considered to be the Rev. George Whelpton, at one time residing in France, but now of Trinity House, Abington, Berks. The original George Whelpton died in 1903.
For these details the present writer is indebted to several members of the Whelpton family, with some of whom he was a fellow pupil at the Horncastle Grammar School.
THE DRILL HALL.
The present building is not the first structure erected in connection with the Volunteers, any more than the present Volunteers themselves are the first institution of the kind formed in Horncastle. In the early years of the 19th century, when there was a general feeling abroad that one great project, nurtured in the ambitious mind of the first Napoleon, was an invasion of England, volunteers were organized throughout the country, with a view to self-defence. As an instance of this, in the town of Pontefract a corps was formed, of which the Earl of Mexborough was Colonel Commandant, and George Pyemont, Esq., of Tanshelf House, Pontefract (grandfather of the present writer), was Major; [145] the records of which are preserved, among other public documents, in Pontefract Castle.
Similarly, a corps was raised in Horncastle at the same period, of which we have somewhat curious evidence in the following. There exists a small pamphlet, which the writer has recently (July, 1908) perused, entitled “An address delivered to the Horncastle Volunteers, on Feb. 26, 1804, by their chaplain, in consequence of the resignation of some of the members. Published by desire of the corps. Printed by James Weir, Horncastle, 1804.” In this address he expresses his great regret that so many volunteers are resigning
“after putting the country to the expense of supplying them with clothing and arms, having also pledged themselves to the country’s defence, and received in return exemption from militia service,” this too at a time when (as he says) “we are in danger of being reduced to a French province.” “No resignations (he continues) have taken place in London, in Boston, or in Spilsby.” He reminds them that they (the Horncastrians) had been “among the first in the county to offer their services,” and he urges them still to “maintain their character” for loyalty.
In consequence of this appeal a public meeting was called together, at which was formed a “Court of Enquiry,” consisting of “9 members, 3 elected from the officers of the corps, and 6 from the non-commissioned officers and privates, to whom all proposals of resignation should be submitted.” In subsequent pages regulations are added as to keeping their weapons in proper condition, orders as to loading their guns, &c., which are described as “firelocks” with “flints.” This we may regard as an interesting item of past local history, evidencing the spirit in which the first Horncastle Volunteers were formed.
The modern volunteer movement originated in the year 1859, under somewhat similar circumstances to the earlier movement. Notwithstanding our ultimate victory in the Crimean war, it was felt that our blunders had been most serious, and our military organization far from complete. War, as a science, was assuming new forms; steam was giving to navigation an independence of wind and tide, which might lead to invasion unawares. The state of our defences was considered most unsatisfactory. France was our ally, but the Emperor Napoleon III. only ruled by popular suffrage, and the memories of Waterloo still affected the sentiments of his people towards England. The facility with which England might be invaded was a subject of discussion in parliament in the course of the session of that year. Lord Palmerston held the view that France could, within a few hours, bring together an army, which could land on our shores and march upon London, before we were awake to the danger. It was our duty to be ready for defence against any such surprise, and it was said that “our friend” Napoleon would himself welcome such preparedness on our part, as giving him the best arguments with his own subjects against any such enterprise.
Strengthened by such reasoning, the Earl of Ripon, Under Secretary for War, announced that volunteer corps would be enrolled throughout the country. The government plans were published on the first of July, were warmly accepted by all parties, and a circular was issued, dated July 13th, to all the Lieutenants of counties, urging immediate action; and forthwith the “nation of shopkeepers” were, as by magic, transformed into an armed camp. So rapid was the progress that by June of the following year the cry was “Ready, aye! ready;” and on the 23rd of that month the Queen held a review in Hyde Park, at which some 20,000 volunteers passed before her. We are told, as a curious incident, that at that review there was present as a newly enrolled private, a Mr. Tower, of Wealdhall, Essex, who had also been present, as a private, at a review held under the former system in 1803. [146]
The loyal town of Horncastle was not behindhand; a public meeting was held in the Bull Hotel, on Aug. 10th, 1859, for the purpose of organizing a
Rifle Corps, for the district, at which the Deputy Lieutenant attended. Among those present were Major Smart, of Tumby, J. Wadham Floyer, of Martin Hall, H. F. Conington, Clarence House, Horncastle, Dr. B. J. Boulton, Dr. W. Ward, Messrs. W. S. Clitherow, R. C. Armstrong, E. Babington, F. Gilliat, F. W. Tweed, J. R. Banks, and most of the chief tradesmen and residents in town and neighbourhood.
The Muster Roll, which is still preserved, of the corps then formed, and designated the “G Company of the 1st Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment of Volunteers,” has at its head the name of Henry Francis Conington, as Captain, March 9th, 1860, with Richard W. Clitherow and Robert Jalland, as officers under him, at the same date; then follows a long list of non-commissioned officers and privates, numbering, in the course of a few years, more than 2,000 names. Captain Conington, promoted Major in 1870, was succeeded in due course, on his going abroad, by Captain, afterwards Major, Robert Clifton Armstrong, who had begun service as Sergeant, and then Lieutenant; having under him, as Lieutenants, Messrs. W. Jeffery and W. S. Clitherow, who were succeeded by Richard W. Clitherow and Robert C. Isle; with Dr. Hugh George as surgeon.
Mr. Arthur Ellwood, of Mareham-le-Fen, who had joined the corps in 1865, succeeded to the command in 1891, with Dr. Keogh, of Coningsby, and
F. S. Dymoke, Esq., as Lieutenants, Dr. Hugh George still acting as Surgeon; Ellwood was promoted as Captain in 1891, succeeded to the Colonelcy of the head-quarters staff in 1894, and is now Hon. Colonel of the Battalion, entitled to wear the regimental uniform.
In 1894 Mr. H. Tweed succeeded to the command as Captain, with Messrs. T. Levett and Granville Sharpe acting as Lieutenants (Mr. F. W. S. Heywood, of Holbeach Hall, being temporarily attached). In 1899 Granville Sharpe succeeded to the command, but his health failing, he resigned after a year’s service. He was succeeded in 1900 by Dr. J. W. Jessop as Captain, who had joined in 1895, and was in 1906 promoted Major of the Battalion; A. A. Ellwood becoming Lieutenant. Dr. Herbert A. Howes, who had joined in 1900, succeeded in 1906 to the command, which he still holds, 1908.
Senior officers in command of the Battalion have been Col. Amcotts (deceased), Col. Seddon (deceased), Col. Preston (deceased), Col. J. G. Williams of Lincoln, and at present Col. J. Ruston of Lincoln. Clergy who have served as Chaplains have been Revs. S. Lodge; C. Reginald Blathwayt, Vicar of West Ashby; A. Scrivenor, Vicar of Horncastle; H. Benwell; and at the present time (1908) Paul O. Ashby, Incumbent of Revesby.
Among those who have done good service in the corps, we should mention the first Drill Sergeant Beeton, who had previously served in the 22nd Regiment of the Line (the Old Cheshire), and afterwards in the South Lincolnshire Militia, as Colour Sergeant. He drilled the corps during about 20 years; dying in Horncastle, after about 40 years service. He was followed by Sergt. Major Bartlett; then by Sergeant Doggett, who had been Colour Sergeant in the 1st Royal Sussex, and previously to that in the 2nd Battalion of the North Staffordshire Regiment (the old 98th). He still resides in Horncastle. In later years the post has been held by Sergeants Towne, Ashley and Bamber.
As to the buildings connected with the volunteers, their history is briefly this: In the early years of the corps’ existence drill was carried on in the Corn Exchange. After a time the building adjoining the north-east corner of the Wong, which had been a British School, was secured; and this, after structural renovation, was used for several years as the head-quarters. It is now in the occupation of Messrs. Danby and Cheseldine, Coach Builders; as in 1901 a new site was obtained at the south-east corner of the Wong, and here on the 13th day of June in that year the foundation stone of the present Drill Hall was laid, with much ceremony, by the Earl of Yarborough, supported by other public functionaries. We here give, in full, the official programme of the proceedings, which may be worthy of preservation, in memory of this important occasion.
PROGRAMME OF THE CEREMONIAL
to be observed in
LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE
of the
NEW VOLUNTEER DRILL HALL, THE WONG, HORNCASTLE,
On Thursday, the 13th day of June, 1901.
the stone will be laid by the
Right Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master of Lincolnshire,
The Right Hon. the Earl of Yarborough, P.C., D.L.,
Past Grand Warden of England, R.W. Provincial Grand Master;
assisted by the
Worshipful the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Bro. W. H. Sissons, D.L., J.P.,
And Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge.
The Members of the Provincial Grand Lodge and Visiting Brethren will assemble at the
Wesleyan Schoolroom, Horncastle, at 12 o’clock.
A Procession will be formed at 12–15 precisely, in the following order:
Two Tylers, with drawn Swords.
Visiting Brethren.
The Lodges of the Province, according to their numbers, Juniors going first.
The W. Masters of the Olive Union and Shakspeare Lodges, with Trowel and Gavel.
| Prov. Grand Steward. | Cornucopiæ with Corn and
Salt, borne by Masters of Lodges | Prov. Grand Steward. |
| Prov. Grand Steward. | Ewers with Wine and Oil, borne by Masters of Lodges. | Prov. Grand Steward. |
| Past Provincial Grand Officers. |
The Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works, with the Plate bearing the inscription for the Foundation Stone.
Provincial Grand Officer.
Provincial Grand Deacons, with Wands.
Acting Provincial Grand Treasurer, with Phial containing Coins to be deposited in the Stone.
The Corinthian Light, borne by the Master of the Franklin Lodge.
The Column of the Junior Provincial Grand Warden, borne by the Master of the Witham Lodge.
The Junior Provincial Grand Warden, with Plumb Rule.
The Doric Light, borne by the Master of the Doric Lodge.
The Column of the Senior Provincial Grand Warden, borne by the Master of the Pelham Pillar Lodge.
The Senior Provincial Grand Warden, with the Level. The Provincial Grand Chaplains, bearing the Volume of the Sacred Law.
The Provincial Grand Secretary, with Book of Constitutions.
The Provincial Grand Standard Bearers, with Banner of Provincial Grand Lodge.
Provincial Grand Sword Bearer.
The W. Deputy Provincial Grand Master, with Square.
The Ionic Light, borne by the Master of the Yarborough Lodge.
| Prov. Grand Steward | The R.W. Provincial Grand Master. | Prov. Grand Steward. |
Provincial Grand Tyler, with Sword.
On arrival at the site, the Brethren will divide right and left, allowing the R.W P.G.M. preceded by the Sword Bearers followed by the Acting Officers, to pass to their positions, and the brethren will then file round the Acting Officers.
The W.M. of the Olive Union Lodge will then request the Provincial Grand Master to lay the Foundation Stone.
The Deputy Provincial Grand Master will deliver the Ancient Opening Address.
HYMN—
Hail! Eternal! by whose aid
All created things were made,
Heaven and earth Thy vast design,
Hear us, Architect Divine!
May our work, begun in thee,
Ever blest with order be;
And may we, when labours cease,
Part in harmony and peace.
By Thy glorious Majesty—
By the trust we place in Thee—
By the badge and Mystic sign—
Hear us, Architect Divine! So mote it be.
The Provincial Grand Chaplin will offer Prayer.
The Architect will then present the Plans for Inspection.
The Acting Provincial Grand Treasurer will then deposit the Coins, &c., in the cavity of the stone.
The Provincial Grand Secretary will read aloud the inscription on the Stone and Plate, which
will then be placed in position.
The W. Master, 1304, will then present the Trowel to the P.G.M., who will adjust the cement,
and the upper stone will be lowered, with three distinct stops.
The R.W. the P.G.M. will now prove the just position and form of the stone by the Plumb Rule, Level, and Square, which will be successively handed to him by the P.G. Junior Warden, the P.G. Senior Warden, and Deputy Provincial Grand Master. Being satisfied in these particulars, he will give the stone three knocks with the Mallet, which will be delivered to him by the Grand Superintendent of Works.
The Cornucopiæ, containing the Corn and Salt, and the Ewers, with the Wine and Oil, will next be handed to the R.W. the P.G.M., who will strew the Corn and Salt, and pour the Wine and Oil over the stone, with the accustomed ceremonies.
Invocation by the P.G. Chaplain.
The R.W. the P.G.M. having inspected the Plan of the intended building, will deliver the same to the Architect, together with the several tools used in proving the position of the stone, and desire him to proceed without loss of time to the completion of the Work, in conformity with the Plan.
The following Hymn will then be sung:—
God of Light! whose love unceasing
Doth to all Thy works extend,
Crown our Order with Thy blessing.
Build—sustain us to the end.
Humbly now we bow before Thee,
Grateful for Thine aid Divine;
Everlasting power and glory,
Mighty Architect, be Thine. So mote it be
The Procession will return in inverse order to the P.G. Lodge Room.
This hall is a spacious and lofty building, well adapted for its purpose, and also (as it is frequently used) for theatricals, and other entertainments; having a permanent stage, dressing rooms, lavatories, &c., with a commodious kitchen attached, and every convenience for cooking, &c. The cost of the whole was about £2,000, raised by public subscriptions.