The south side of the transept is now partitioned off, and used as a school, in which the children are instructed on the plan of Dr. Bell.
The living is a donative, extra judicial, in the presentation of the lord of the manor. It was once held by the Reverend Obadiah How, D.D. a man of considerable learning, and the author of several theological treatises; he died in 1685, and was buried in the church of Boston, of which he was vicar. It was afterwards held for more than forty years by the Reverend Michael Taylor, who died in 1730, and was buried in the midst of the nave of this church.
The college, which was situated on the north side of the church, is entirely gone. The alms-houses still remain with a small endowment.
An old building in the town, supposed to have been the parish chapel, now forms part of a malting office.
THE TOWN.
The parish of Tattershall contains about 1555 acres of land, and the hamlet of Tattershall Thorpe about 2589 acres, the principal part of which is the property of the lord of the manor.
The town has derived considerable benefit from the navigable canal, which passes through it from the river Witham to the town of Horncastle. A fine bridge of four arches having been thrown over the Witham, in the place of the ferry, with a turnpike road to Sleaford, has also contributed to the improvement of the place.
From a manuscript account of the diocese of Lincoln, taken in the year 1588, it appears that at that period Tattershall contained 236 families, and the hamlet of Tattershall Thorpe 68. By the returns made in the year 1811, it appears that the number of houses in Tattershall was 105, and of inhabitants 506: Tattershall Thorpe, at the same time, contained 37 houses and 208 inhabitants.
There are two fairs holden annually at this place; one on the fifteenth of May, the other on the twenty-fifth of September. The market is now held on Friday weekly.
In the market place stands an octagonal column or shaft, which was once surmounted by a cross. The cross has however long since been removed and an urn substituted in its place. On three of the shields with which this column is ornamented these arms are sculptured, viz. Cromwell, Cromwell and Tateshall quarterly, and Cromwell and Tateshall impaling Deincourt. The arms on the fourth shield are obliterated.