# A History of Horncastle from the Earliest Period to the Present Time/Chapter 8

CHAPTER VIII.
THE DISPENSARY
AY well be said to be the most important charity in the town, not only from the valuable services which it has, through many years, rendered to the suffering poor, but because it was a pioneer institution of its kind; while the area of its usefulness has probably been more extensive than that of any similar charity in the county.
Dispensaries were established at Louth in the year 1803, at Lincoln in 1826, at Grantham in 1838, at Boston in 1852, at Market Rasen in 1857; but Horncastle was in advance of the earliest of these by more than a dozen years. Further, the records of the charity shew, that, in the early years of its existence, patients were here treated from places so distant as Spilsby, Friskney, Wainfleet, Trusthorpe, Theddlethorpe, Alford, Fotherby, Marsh Chapel, Saltfleetby, Boston, Lincoln, Sleaford, Grantham, and even beyond the county, from Loughborough, Hull, and Beverley.
This, it may be explained, was mainly due to the fact that it was virtually the creation of a man who was, in many matters, in advance of his time, that great public benefactor. Sir Joseph Banks, Bart., of Revesby Abbey, who held the Manor of Horncastle, and took the greatest interest in the welfare of the town and neighbourhood.
At a preliminary meeting held at the Bull Inn, Horncastle, on Wednesday, Oct., 28, 1789, it was resolved, apparently on his initiative, to establish a dispensary; and this took formal shape on Dec. 3rd following, when the governing body was elected, consisting of Sir Jos. Banks, President, with Vice-Presidents the Honble. Lewis Dymoke, King's Champion, Thomas Coltman, Esq., William Elmhirst, Esq., Treasurer, and Richard Clitherow, Gent., legal adviser; the Honorary Physicians being Edmund Laycock, M.D., and Edward Harrison, M.D., with Mr. John Chislett as Surgeon and Apothecary.
​A code of rules was drawn up, which, with occasional revisions, to suit changing circumstances, remain substantially the same to the present day. A donation of 10 guineas constituted a life Governor, a legacy of the like amount gave the trustee paying it the same privilege. An annual subscription of one guinea made the subscriber a Governor during the year. Church or chapel collections of two guineas secured governorship for the year to the minister, and an additional Governor for each two guineas so collected. The officials were to be a President, Vice-Presidents, and Treasurer, elected annually at a special meeting of the Governors. Other regulations, as to patients and their attendance, numbered between 40 and 50.
The institution was to be open on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. till noon, when the medical officers would prescribe for patients, attending with a governor's nomination. Those unable to attend should be visited at their homes. As a small practical beginning the wooden framework of a shop was bought at Wainfleet, for the small sum of 5/5; and drugs were ordered from the firm of Wallis & Stockton, of York; and a further supply obtained from Messrs. Skeen & Peale, of London.
The first building, which was used from 1789 till 1867, was No. 2 on the south side of St. Mary's Churchyard, being rented for the sum of five guineas a year, until it was purchased in Feb., 1810, for the institution, jointly by Dr. Harrison and the Rev. John Fretwell, for £111 2s. 8d., the conveyance being effected by Mr. Clitherow at a charge of £13 15s. 8d. Improvements were made in this building, at a cost of £13 5s., in 1812, and of £27 15s. 7d. in 1821.
Of the first physicians, Dr. Laycock resigned office in his first year, on Sept. 29th, 1790; but Dr. Harrison continued his duties for many years, only retiring on Oct. 11th, 1821, shortly before his death. Although that gentleman carried on a private asylum, for patients mentally affected, at his own residence in West Street, he took a great interest in the Dispensary, and was indefatigable in his attendances, often at his own inconvenience. Moreover his pecuniary assistance was not small; as, besides sharing in the purchase of the premises in St. Mary's Churchyard, the accounts shew that in 1820 he paid £27, and in the following year £19 14s. 4d., for Dispensary expenses, which sums were afterwards repaid to him by the Governors; and (as will be shewn hereafter) he bequeathed at his death £100 to the funds. A vote of thanks was passed to him at the annual meeting of the Governors in September of 1821, for a further gift of £21, with the expression of their regret that his valuable services could no longer be given. Associated with Dr. Harrison, in dispensary work, was Dr Fawssett, appointed on the resignation of Dr. Laycock, who loyally co-operated with that gentleman for 33 years, and only survived him two years, dying on Oct. 16th. 1823.
Since that time almost all the medical men of the town have, in their ​turns, rendered useful service to the Dispensary. It would be invidious to single out any of these as being more capable, or more devoted to the work, than others; but we may mention one exceptional case, which all will recognize. From an early period medical pupils were allowed to visit the Dispensary, in order to study special cases, and the treatment they received from qualified practitioners. Among these was a young man, Mr. E. P. Charlesworth, who virtually here received the early part of his medical education. He afterwards, for some years, practised in Horncastle; and in Dec., 1807, a resolution of the Governors was passed, conveying to him their warm thanks for his generosity in relieving poor patients, often at his own expense, and for his readiness to receive them, for consultation, at his own residence, and to make up drugs for them at all hours. He subsequently removed to Lincoln, and became a noted physician, whose reputation extended considerably beyond
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the county. During 33 years he was one of the most active medical advisers and patrons of the Lincoln Lunatic Asylum; and, after his death in 1853, a statue of him, in white marble, was erected in the grounds of that institution.
All these medical attendants at the Dispensary gave their services gratiuitously until, at a general meeting, held on April 23rd, 1878, a resolution was passed, that henceforth the two doctors should each be paid £30 a year, which has been the rule ever since. At that date the late Dr. A. E. Boulton resigned, and Mr. Robert Jalland and Dr. Haddon were the first to receive this well-merited remuneration, attending to their duties in alternate months.
Scattered about the minute books of the institution are various notes, of some interest, from which we here give a selection. On Feb. 23rd, 1790, the Rev. John Fretwell, "sensible of the distresses of the sick poor, gave one and a half guineas from the communion money, to be laid out in salop sago and ​Bowen's sago powder, to be distributed at the discretion of the faculty." Nov. 27th, 1790, cases of small pox having occurred in the town, it was resolved to inoculate all poor persons, free of charge; and thereafter many names are given of those who underwent the operation. With this we may compare the following entry as indicating the progress of medical science during 12 years. June 8th, 1802, an epidemic of small pox having occurred, and "inoculation becoming general, the Governors recommend vaccination." A statement was printed for circulation, that in 100,000 cases of vaccination, not one death had ensued; that it was now practised in all parts of the world, and favourably received, and that the National Institution of France had pronounced it to be the greatest discovery of the last century.
Feb. 4th, 1792, has an entry, in no way bearing upon dispensary work, but interesting as a memento of an old mode of conveyance. The proprietors of the sedan chair asked permission for it to be kept at the Dispensary, for which they were willing to pay one guinea annually; and this was agreed to at the next meeting of the Governors. This chair was let out to convey ladies to evening parties in the town. It was borne by two men, and was in use within living memory, as late as "in the sixties."
April 21st, 1792. A gift of apparatus for the recovery of drowned persons, with a drag, was received from the Royal Humane Society of London. A water bed was afterwards purchased, which was let out for a small fee to poor patients, temporarily bed-ridden.
On Nov. 28th, 1809, at a special meeting of the Governors, the usefulness of the Dispensary was further extended by the appointment of a midwife, to attend upon poor women in labor, both in town and country, being paid from the funds of the charity, a fee of 3/6 for each case; and from the year 1810 to 1829, inclusive, Mrs. Elizabeth Southwell is mentioned, from time to time, as acting in that capacity. In the years 1829, 30 and 31, owing to the increase in the number of patients, special appeals were made to the landowners of the district for increased support.
In July, 1834, a resolution was passed that doctors attending patients at the Dispensary, might introduce pupils, to study cases under their treatment; and, in one case, a lady applied for permission to attend a course of instruction, in order that she might be enabled to assist her husband in making up medicines. From 1840 to 1894 drugs were supplied by Messrs. Herring & Co., of London, but since that they have been supplied by local chemists, who are subscribers.
In the autumn of 1840 there was an epidemic of scarlatina, and of the 237 patients on the books, 50 were suffering from that complaint. In consequence of the additional work thus caused, the salary of the dispenser was raised from £40 to £60 a year.
Again, with regard to a new source of income, among early notices we find the following: that on Sept. 29th, 1790, the first anniversary of the Dispensary's formation, a sermon was preached, on its behalf, at a service in the parish church, by the Rev. John Dymoke, Rector of Scrivelsby, and Chaplain to his grace the Duke of St. Albans. This became an annual observance, and has continued so ever since, the preachers being selected with special care, and often from a considerable distance. For instance, at the following anniversary, ​in 1791, the Rev Everard Buckworth, LLD., Prebendary of Canterbury, was invited to preach, and he being unable to undertake that office, the Rev. Peter Bulmer, Vicar of Thorpe, officiated in his stead. Among other preachers named we find the Rev. Basil Beridge, well-known for his works of charity, Rector of Algarkirk, near Boston; the Rev. W. Goodenough, Archdeacon of Carlisle; the Rev. E. R. Mantell, Vicar of Louth, and other prominent clergy of the county.
How widely the institution was appreciated is shewn by the number of leading persons who gave it their patronage. Sir Joseph Banks was its warmest supporter, through life, regularly attending the committee meetings, either as a Governor or President, until his decease, June 19, 1820; and his
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example brought to the meetings members of the Chaplin, Massingberd, and Heneage families, Lord Yarborough, and others, at no small inconvenience, from considerable distances.
Among other Presidents have been the widowed Lady Banks; Lord Yarborough, on several occasions; the Honble. and Rev. John Dymoke; to whom succeeded the Honble. Henry, afterwards Sir Henry Dymoke, Bart.; Lord Worsley; the Right Honble. E. Stanhope, M.P.; J. Banks Stanhope, Esq. After the death of Mr. Stanhope, Jan. 18th, 1904, it was resolved, at a special meeting of the Governors, Jan. 28th, that the Secretary should record, among the minutes, their regret at his death, and their high appreciation of his ​long and generous support. The chairman was requested to send a copy of this to the Honble. Mrs Stanhope; and at a meeting held on March 31st, following, a very kind letter in reply was read from Mrs. Stanhope, promising her support in the future, in lieu of that of the deceased gentleman. The chairman was again requested to convey to her the thanks of the Governors, and Mrs. Stanhope was elected and continued to be President until her death, October 25th, 1907.
Among Vice-Presidents have been two Earls Fortescue (father and son); Lord Worsley; Sir Joseph Hawley, Bart.; J. Hassard Short, Esq.; Earl Manvars; C. H. Massingberd Mundy, Esq.; General Sir E. Brackenbury, Knight of Hanover; J. Lewis Ffytche, Esq.; Capt. Dallas York, Lord Willoughby d'Eresby; Sir H. M. Hawley, Bart.
For many years a ball was given in aid of the funds, in the Assembly Room, Bull Hotel, Horncastle, which (with the exception perhaps of the "stuff" ball at Lincoln) was the most fashionably attended of any such gathering in the county. Among the stewards of this ball we find the names of G. M. Allington, Esq., of Swinhope Hall; Joseph Livesey, Esq., Stourton Hall; C. Waldo Sibthorpe, Esq., Canwick Hall; G. F. W. Sibthorpe, Esq.; Col. Sibthorpe, M.P.; the Right Honble. C. T. d'Egremont, M.P.; E. Heneage, Esq., M.P.; Capt. Mansell, of Well Hall; G. B. Langton, Esq., of Langton Hall; J. Banks Stanhope, M.P.; Sir Montague Cholmondly, Bart.; Sir Charles H. J. Anderson, of Lea, Bart.; Sir William Ingilby, Bart, Ripley Castle, Yorks; Lord Yarborough; H. Handley, M.P., Sleaford; Lord Amelius Beauclerk; Capt. Boucherett, North Willingham Hall; Honble. Capt. Monson; Capt. Lionel Dymoke.
Among the lady patronesses were Lady Worsley, the Duchess of St. Albans, Lady Mary Christopher, Mrs. G. W. Sibthorpe, Lady Anderson, Mrs. Livesey, Lady Nelthorpe, Lady Dymoke, Lady Albinia Pye.
These balls were discontinued, to the general regret, and to the loss of the dispensary, after the year 1871; and to make up for the loss Mr. J. Banks Stanhope in that year presented the institution with a cheque for £20.
We close this list of officials, with a brief account of the dispensers, on whom the efficiency of the institution largely depended. They were usually qualified chemists, or surgeons and apothecaries; and generally also acted as secretaries. The first of these we have already named, Mr. John Chislett, to him succeeded Mr. Lewis Bilton, secretary and compositor, 1793-1799; L. Barton, compositor, 1799-1801; G. Lunn, compositor, 1801-1807; John Lenton, compositor, 1807-1809; William Morley, compositor, 1809-1810; Thomas Taylor, surgeon apothecary, compositor, 1811-1826; Thomas Snaith, Surgeon, 1826-1834; William Ward, surgeon and apothecary, 1834-1839; W. Shepherd, 1839-1840 (ad interim); Francis Macarthur, dispenser, 1840-1865; William Caunt, dispenser, 1865-75; William Betts, Chemist and Druggist, 1875, Lady-day; elected secretary Nov. 2nd, 1882; his services have extended over a longer period than those of any previous dispenser.
On the death of the Champion, Sir Henry Dymoke, Bart., April 28th, 1865, the Governors resolved to erect a new dispensary, as a memorial of his long connection with the charity. Circulars were issued inviting subscriptions, and, among other donors, Robert Vyner, Esq., of Gautby Hall, gave £200; ​the site of 52, North Street, was purchased, and the present building was erected in 1866. In 1867 the old house in the churchyard was sold for £142 11s. 4d., and the new premises were occupied in the autumn of that year. It was built from the designs of Messrs. Bellamy & Hardy, Architects, of Lincoln, the contractor for the work being Mr. Robert Carter, Builder, of North Street, Horncastle. The original contract was for £765, but the ultimate cost, with furniture, lawyer's expenses, &c., amounted to £1,026 10s. 11d. It is subject to a ground rent of £1 to the Stanhope estate.
Of late years the support, by subscriptions, has on several occasions been inadequate. In January, 1899, there being a deficit of £70, the late Mr. J. Banks Stanhope gave the Governors a cheque for that amount. In the year 1905, there being again a serious deficit, application was made to the trustees of the Hurstcroft and Snowden charity, and they contributed £20 on condition that 25 poor children should receive medical treatment free of charge. A further sum of £53 14s. remaining as a surplus, in the hands of the Soup Kitchen Committee, was also given to the funds. Canon Quarrington, formerly Vicar of Horncastle, also contributed £20; and other donations made up a relief fund of £106 (see Report for the year). The debt was thus wiped out, but death having carried off many former subscribers, increased support will be needed in the future.
Legacies have been bequeathed to the institution by various persons, at different times, as follows: Dr. Harrison, by will dated Feb. 5th, 1820, left £100; the late H. J. Fielding, Esq., who died Aug. 10th, 1879, left by will £100; in 1884 the late Mr. T. Garfit bequeathed £100; ten £10 shares in the railway were bequeathed by Mrs. Fox Marshall in 1897; £100 was bequeathed by Mr. J. W. Hart, of Tetford, in 1900; Mr. John Bancroft left £50 in 1905; £357 were invested in Consols and £200 in railway shares, in 1899; a portion of this was sold in 1902, and £300 were invested in the Corn Exchange; the Dispensary premises were also insured for £800, instead of £600, in the County Fire Office, in 1902.
It will thus be seen that although the operations of the institution no longer embrace the extended area of the early years of its existence, it is still doing a most valuable work in the alleviation of suffering among the poor and needy, in both town and country for many miles round, and is thoroughly deserving of the increased support, which is required, to continue its efficiency. We trust that this will be recognized by the land owners and others, and that such assistance will be forthcoming.
* ↑ The Rev. John Fretwell was Rector of Winceby. and began his ministry in Horncastle, June 24th, 1782, and was Curate under the Vicars, Revs. James Fowler and Joseph Robinson. He would appear to have possessed a private income beyond his official stipend, he was probably, for some time, in sole charge of the cure, as we find him disposing of some of the "communion money," for the benefit of the Dispensary, as recorded in a subsequent page of this chapter. There is a tablet of black marble on the north wall of the chancel, in St. Mary's Church, in memory of Elizabeth, his first wife, who died Dec. 4th, 1784, and also of his infant son by his second wife), Matthew Harold, who died Sept. 19th, 1786.
* ↑ This was the house now occupied by Dr. H. A. Howes. 30, West Street; and the writer may add, that, within his own memory, while the house was occupied by a later tenant, Mr. Jason Alison, a poor lunatic, probably a survival of Dr. Harrison's asylum, was kept chained to the kitchen fireplace. Such treatment would now be impossible, but parallel cases are on record in the neighbourhood.
* ↑ Dr. E. Jenner made his first experiment in 1796, announced his success in 1798. and the practice became general in 1799.
* ↑ Mr. Macarthur was the most indefatigable and efficient dispenser up to that time; the Governors more than once passing a vote of thanks for his services, raising his salary, or presenting him with a cheque.