The Hospital of Thomas Truesdale

The Hospital of Thomas Truesdale. . , Truesdale's Hospital , The stone building beyond this Information Board is an almshouse complex known as "The Hospital of Thomas Truesdale" (hospital in the "hospitality" or charitable institution sense of the definition). It was founded in 1700 by the will of Thomas Truesdale, an attorney, and supported by land in Morton and Baston, Lincolnshire. It was designed, along with Fryer's Hospital, by the distinguished architect George Basevi, 1794-1845, pupil of Sir John Soane and architect of the impressive neo-classical Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge. Originally the intention was to house 6 poor old men in a building in Scotgate but the allowance proved generous and by 1831, 8 men and a nurse were maintained. Basevi though, reported that the buildings needed replacement and submitted a design for a new almshouse to accommodate 12 men. This was completed in 1833 at the then considerable cost of £3300., Thomas Truesdale , Thomas Truesdale was an attorney with an extensive practice and, according to the C18 antiquarian Francis Peck, his life paralleled William Browne. They both lived in the same house in Broad Street, on the site of number 3, they both founded a hospital, and they were both buried in the same chapel in All Saints' Church. In 1682 he married Elizabeth Tooley, of Boston, Lincolnshire, who died a year later aged 23 years. A monument in his memory is in the south chapel of All Saints' Church. The inscription translated from his monument states he was 'in the use of English laws and practice of the courts, excellently skilled; by his knowledge wherein he made others, as well as himself, honestly rich. To the poor, whilst he was yet alive, he gave often; when he died, always.......for charity (which surpasses poetry) forbids that a person so deserving of praise should ever be forgot'., Architecture , The building, which is now Grade II Listed, is in the Tudor-Gothic style: Richardson was the contractor, the stone carving was by local mason WG Nicholl and iron railings were by W and S Summers at a cost of £47.10s.0d. The building has parapeted gables over archways, all having 4-centred heads with square labels; the windows have mullions and square heads. The single story dwellings are arranged in 2 confronting rows behind a street block with a central through-archway and are centred upon a courtyard which originally contained the water pump. The forecourt is flanked by gable walls against adjoining properties, but the South-Eastern one now stands awkward and alone as the adjacent buildings were demolished to build a car park. The ashlared street block has angel-stops to the entrance archway and in the spandrels are the letters 'TH' and 'T for the founder. In the central gable is a cusped quatrefoil containing a quartered shield for Truesdale. In the side gables are quatrefoils enclosing blank shields. The string-course is inscribed 'G Basevi Archt. 1832’. Chimney shafts are either octagonal or rectangular set diagonally, in groups or in pairs, the pair above the entrance linked with cusped arches. The entrance passage is vaulted and flanking it are lead rainwater heads inscribed '1832'. The almshouses, in coursed rubble, consisted of single rooms entered from shared open lobbies. The rooms at the Southern end of the East range were added in 1844 by Richardson, continuing Basevi's design for £447, and coal houses were re-built. More recent alterations have amalgamated the rooms into larger units. Over the entrances are square panels with blank shields. On the West an almost central cross passage leads from the courtyard to ground behind Snowden's Hospital; in the gable over the archway is an inscribed panel recording the Hospital's rebuilding and enlargement. A tall retaining wall with 2-stage buttresses closes the yard on the South. , The Almsmen and their Rules , Almsmen (and it was only men until the early 20th century) were bound by a strict set of rules or "Orders". They had to attend All Saints' Church "in their Gowns, when and so often as Divine Service shall be read"; they were not allowed to be "out of the Almshouse after Nine of the Clock at Night": they had to "take special care to avoid Brawling, Quarrelling, Swearing and Drunkenness, and to behave themselves Peaceably, Soberly and Godly, suitable to the pious ends of their Founder". Married Almsmen were allowed to have their wives to visit them, but "when they come to visit or attend upon their respective Husbands, take diligent heed to avoid Clamours, Scolding, Vilifying and Reproachful Language, and whatsoever may disturb the peace and quiet of the Almshouse"., We now invite you to view the gardens through the archway but ask you to respect the residents privacy and not enter.