# A History of Horncastle from the Earliest Period to the Present Time/Chapter 10

CHAPTER X.
WORKHOUSE OR UNION.
E now notice the chief of those public institutions, and the buildings connected therewith, which have been established in the town, within more recent times, for its welfare, or its adornment; in order to bring its corporate efficiency into more complete accord with the advanced requirements of what may be called modern municipal life. Among these the foremost place, from its general importance, is naturally due to the Union, or Workhouse; and here it is necessary to make some preliminary remarks.
The workhouse, or union, for a large district is a comparatively recent creation. "The poor" we have had "always with" us, but they have not always been dealt with as they now are. By statute 23 Edward III. (1349), it was enacted that "none should give alms to a beggar who was able to work." By common law the really deserving poor were to be assisted "by parsons and parishioners, so that none should die for default of sustenance." By Act, 15 Richard II. (1392), impropriators (i.e. laymen holding church property) were bound to contribute a certain yearly sum to the poor of the parish, but no compulsory law was passed till 27 Henry VIII. (1536). The present poor law system dates from 43 Eliz. (1601); successive amendment acts being passed from 1836 to 1847, and again in 1861; and a further relief act in 1862.
At first parishes regulated their own methods and amounts of relief. For a long period, indeed, the labouring class were subject to strict legal rules, both as to service, and in their individual movements. It was quite an innovation when, in 23 Henry VI. (1445), a servant was permitted to change masters after giving due notice; and when moving, or, as it is locally called, "flitting," from one parish to another, for employment, he had to produce a certificate of settlement from his last abode. In such matters the overseers were paramount, until their powers were transferred to the newly constituted guardians of the poor, by Act of Parliament, in 1839.
​The "workhouse" preceded the "union," which latter term was adopted when parishes, throughout a large district, were united for the purposes of poor relief." In some cases a country parish had its own workhouse. For instance, old parish books of Thimbleby, show that in 1819 £20 was spent upon the village workhouse, which was insured for £200.
Among some old churchwardens' records, in the possession of Mr. John Overton, of Horncastle (members of whose family have frequently held that office), it is mentioned that early in the 18th century a "public oven" was erected in the town to enable the poor to cook their meals, or to bake the "black bread," then in common use, more conveniently than they could at home. At a later date (1780) a spinning school was established by public rate, to help the poor to earn a livelihood by a home industry.
An important advance was made in poor relief, in 1735, when, as the same records state, "on April 17 a committee was appointed, in Horncastle, to build a workhouse," and on May 7th in the following year a brief note gives the cost of the building as being £175 13s. 4d. This was situated on the east side of St. Mary's Square, separated by a few yards from the Grammar School, the site being now (1908) occupied by a common lodging house. It continued to be the public workhouse for over 100 years; and that the poor, who needed relief, were generally expected to enter as inmates, is shewn by another brief note, in the same records, to the following effect: "May 2nd, 1781. Out payments discontinued, except in sickness."
It was not till 1838 that the present workhouse, in Foundry Street, was built, from the designs of Mr.—afterwards Sir—Gilbert Scott, being one of his earliest undertakings. It is a commodious structure, capable of ​accommodating 260 inmates; and, with grounds attached, covers an area of between four and five acres. It is now known as "The Union," and the union district embraces 69 parishes, represented by 76 guardians, to whom, as already stated, the former duties of the overseers were transferred in 1839.
The Rev. Canon A. E. Moore is the present Chaplain.
THE COURT HOUSE.
The majesty of the law has not always been so worthily domiciled in Horncastle as during the last forty years. In Stukeley's map of the town, dated 1722, the Sessions House is placed at the south-east corner of the "Mercat Place," where there now (1908) stands a small refreshment house.
The Court House.
The cells for prisoners probably formed the basement of this building, as there is no known record of their being confined elsewhere, until the year 1821, when what was called the "Round House" was built, at the north-east corner of the Market Place, opposite the present Lord Nelson Inn. This was a small circular building, having two cells, with a colonnade running round it, which formed a shelter for market women selling butter, eggs, &c. The foundations of this structure were so shallow that it is on record that a prisoner, in the course of one night, scratched a passage under the wall and effected his escape. This prison was demolished in 1853, when the present police station ​was built, facing the Wong, at a cost of £500, having four cells, for 12 prisoners, and a residence for a superintendent and constable.
Some years later fresh premises were rented for the magistrates, on the south side of the High Street, adjoining the George Hotel, now extinct, though then a leading establishment. That site is now occupied by the Lincoln and Lindsey Bank.
In 1843 the magistrates' office was transferred to what is now 19, Bull Ring, part of the shop of Messrs. Robinson, Drapers. All these premises proving inadequate for their purpose, the present Court House was built in 1865, on the site of the former parish stocks, the site, a slight rising ground, being called "Stocks' Hill," at a cost of £3,000. The architect was Mr. C. Reeves, of London, the builder Mr. Huddleston, of Lincoln. The furniture was supplied by Messrs. Pike & Wright, of Horncastle; gas fittings by Mr. Murrell, of Chelsea.
In this handsome building, of white brick, there is accommodation for many branches of public, local and county business. As a possession the Court House is the property of the Board of Works, in London, the county authorities paying to them a rent of £10, for the use of it by the magistrates.
THE STANHOPE MEMORIAL.
This handsome structure was erected under the following circumstances. The Right Honble. Edward Stanhope, who had represented the Horncastle Division in Parliament, with much distinction, from the year 1874, died rather suddenly, as the result of hard work, in his official capacity, on Dec. 22, 1893, to the great grief of the entire constituency; when it was universally felt that his services merited some public recognition. Various meetings were held, and at length, on Jan. 22nd, 1897, at a gathering in the Masonic Hall, a committee was appointed to carry out the scheme. The design of the Memorial was intrusted to the architect, Mr. E. H. Lingen Barker, of Hereford, Messrs. Walter & Hensman, of Horncastle, being the contractors for the work.
The ceremony of inauguration was performed by J. Banks Stanhope, Esq., formerly M.P. for the Division, on Feb. 2nd, 1899, in the presence of the Earl and Countess Stanhope, and other distinguished persons on the platform, and a vast crowd from the neighbourhood filling the entire Market Place. This was followed by a public luncheon in the Corn Exchange.
The site chosen was the centre of the Market Place, as that, along with the market dues, had been made over to the town as a free gift, by the Right Honble. gentleman, as Lord of the Manor. The following is the official description of the monument, as published at the time of its erection. The structure is 31-ft. 6-in. in height. It stands on a massive foundation of concrete; with three tiers of Yorkshire stone steps, each 15-in. wide, running round the base leading up to the monument proper, their shape being octagonal. With the exception of two strings of Dumfries' red stone, the lower part is of Monk's Park stone. Above this is a moulded string course, and on each face are shafts of Aberdeen red granite, with moulded caps and bases. The panels are filled with diaper work; and in each alternate panel are arms of the Stanhope family, and the arms of the town, with an inscription to the memory of the Right Honble. E. Stanhope, and a medallion, with bust, in relief, of the same. These panels are surmounted by moulded and carved cinquefoil panels, surmounted by carved finials. Above these, again, are eight ​columns of polished granite, supporting the superstructure, and these also have eight trefoil dormers, simpler than those below, each finished with a finial of gun metal. Above these are eight gun metal columns, having trefoiled heads, with foliated finials and moulded cornice; and on these rests the spirette, constructed of oak and covered with lead, with eight other dormers, which complete the whole. The total cost was £552 12s. 3d., raised by subscriptions, a small balance being handed over to the public Dispensary.
THE CLERICAL CLUB.
The Clerical Club was founded in 1822; a room was rented on the premises of Mr. James Babington, Bookseller, in the High Street (now occupied
The Stanhope Memorial.
by Mr. J. S. Balding, Butcher), where the members met for discussion, and gradually established a good library.
The first members enrolled were the Rev. the Hon. the King's Champion, John Dymoke, Rector of Scrivelsby; the Revs. J. B. Smith, Head Master of the Grammar School; C. N. L'Oste, Rector of Claxby; Francis Rockliffe, Rector of Fulletby; Robert Spranger, D.D., Rector of Low Toynton (and of Grosvenor Street, Grosvenor Square, London); John Mounsey, Rector of Gautby; Thomas Roe, Rector of Kirkby-on-Bain; E. Brackenbury, Rector of Aswardby; W. Dodson, Rector of Well; F. Swan, Rector of Sausthorpe; and others holding benefices scattered over a wide area, but several of them living in Horncastle.
​The Club was formally opened in the following year, when several more members were added; the Honble. John Dymoke being elected President, Dr. Clement Madeley, Vicar of Horncastle, Vice-President, with Dr. J. B. Smith as Secretary, in which capacity he did valuable service, in increasing the membership and adding to the efficiency of the institution, which flourished for many years.
In later times, especially on the lamented death of Dr. Smith, and the creation of circulating libraries, such as that of Messrs. Mudie, in London, the numbers of subscribers fell off considerably. The books were transferred to various quarters; at first to the house of the late Mr. John Osborne, parish clerk, himself no mean scholar and student, afterwards to the residence of the head master of the Grammar School, where they remained for some years, under successive masters, still available for members of the club.
On June 8th, 1892, Canon Quarrington, Vicar of Horncastle, Revs. J. C. Hudson, Vicar of Thornton, and J. Conway Walter, Rector of Langton, were appointed a sub-committee, with instructions to find a permanent club room, or to give the books to the Lincoln Diocesan Library. In September of that year Dr Madge, Head Master, offered to keep the books, to act as Librarian, and admit members to them two or three days a week in his house.
In January, 1893, the present writer was commissioned with Dr. Madge, to examine the books, when there was found to be 799 in good condition, 69 missing. The Secretary of the Lincoln Diocesan Library was communicated with, and at a meeting of the committee of that library, held on Feb. 24, 1893, the offer of the books was accepted, and they were in due course transferred to that institution.
On May 17th, 1894, the Rev. J. Conway Walter, with three others, was commissioned to obtain a supply of books from a circulating library at Lincoln. Eventually Mudie's library was established at the shop of Mr. H. Willson, Bookseller, Horncastle; Mr. W. K. Morton opened a subscription library, and Messrs. W. H. Smith opened a book stall at the station. These three still continue; the original Clerical Club books being still available, with others, at the library in the Chapter House of Lincoln Cathedral.
There was at one time a Literary Society in Horncastle, which used to meet at the Bull Hotel, in a small room, now the bar, beneath the large ball room, on a level with the street. Among the most active members of this was John Brown, the late, so-called, Horncastle "Poet Laureate," whose poems were published in 1890, by the Rev. J. Conway Walter, in a volume entitled Literæ Laureatæ, dedicated to Lord Tennyson Another prominent member was the late Mr. Thomas Baker, who was an amateur actor and clever ventriloquist, as well as a great cricketer. In his early years he was engaged by the father of Sir Evelyn Wood to teach the village boys cricket in Essex. His bowling was of the old roundhand style; in which he bowled to Fuller Pilch, the greatest batsman of his day; and also to Dr. W. G. Grace, now of the Crystal Palace; and, many years ago, in a match against a crack 11, including three University players and one professional, he bowled them all out for 11 runs. He also bowled out the captain of the All England Eleven with his first ball. He died Feb. 12th, 1903, aged 88.
THE MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.
Mechanics' Institutes were first established in the earlier half of the 19th century. The first known was that founded in London by the famous Dr. Birkbeck in 1823; another being opened in the same year in Glasgow; after which they became general. As Horncastle was in advance of other towns in the county in its valuable Dispensary (see p. 119), so it would seem to have preceded other towns, with the exception of Lincoln, in catering for the growing taste for literature. The Mechanics' Institute was founded in the year 1834. It was first located in Union Street, now called Queen Street, and soon received the support of all classes. The building, which consisted of one large room, was situated on the west side of the street, on the site where now stands the private residence, No. 18.
Soon after the erection of the Corn Exchange, in 1856, the Mechanics' Institute was transferred to that building; two upper rooms being occupied, as library and reading room; the former premises in Queen Street being sold to the late Mr. Joseph Parish, who used them for sales, public meetings, dances, and so forth, until in 1866 he erected on the site a private residence for himself.
After some years the introduction of the above named branch of the popular London Library of Messrs. Mudie & Co., at the shop of Mr. Hugh Willson, Bookseller, in the Bull Ring, followed by the subscription library of Mr. W. K. Morton, in the High Street, and that of Messrs. W. H. Smith & Sons, at the Railway Station, reduced the numbers of the subscribers to "The Mechanics," and it was removed to smaller premises in Bank Street; and eventually this same cause led to the Institute being closed. On January 14th, 1886, a meeting was held in the library to determine its future, the result being that the Secretary, Mr. W. Betts, and the members of the committee resigned, Jan. 21st, and the books, &c., were removed to a small chamber at the Gas House, in Foundry Street, another small room there being used as a temporary reading room. These were closed about the year 1894, the books remaining stowed away. About the year 1899 an effort was made by the late W. Brown, of the Capital and Counties' Bank, to get the books transferred to the Technical School in Queen Street, of the committee of which he was chairman; with the object that they might be once more rendered available for public use; but this project fell through.
In 1905 the library was finally broken up by the late Mr. Joseph Willson, the last survivor of the Managing Committee, who sold the less valuable among the books by auction in Lincoln, the rest being divided between the permanent subscription library of Mr. W. K. Morton, Bookseller, High Street, and that of the Grammar School.
It is much to be regretted that a valuable collection of books thus ceased to be public property. A catalogue of the library, published by Mr. W. Johnson, Bookseller, High Street, in 1865, shows that the number of volumes was at that date 1,468, with annual additions; while in 1879 a bequest was made by the late Henry James Fielding, Esq., of Handel House, South Street, of about 230 volumes of standard works, bringing the total up to about 1,750 volumes. (Classified List, published by W. K. Morton, 1879.)
The first librarian was Mrs. Wood, assisted by her daughter (afterwards Mrs. Panton). She was succeeded by Miss South, who was followed by Miss Stephenson, and she was succeeded by Mrs. W. Johnson.
​The late Mr. Henry Nicholson acted as secretary, and for several years took a great interest in all that concerned the Institute, until his prolonged serious illness, which ended fatally in June, 1900. Mr. C. Hensman was treasurer while the library was at the Corn Exchange, resigning when it was removed to Banks Street. During the same period the late Mr. Berridge, Master of the Union, acted as Secretary, and was succeeded by Mr. W. Betts, of the Dispensary, who only held that post two years, before the Institute was closed.
There were in the library, besides the books, a quantity of weapons of war from the South Sea Islands, some cases of objects of natural history; valuable sepia paintings by the late Rev. C. P. Terrot, of Wispington, an almost unrivalled artist in his own line; and several fine Roman vases exhumed in the town; all these were disposed of by Mr. Joseph Willson, only surviving trustee, now deceased.
THE CORN EXCHANGE.
The Corn Exchange is a spacious and lofty building of brick, with stone facings, capable of holding 500 persons, situated on the south side of the High Street, and standing on what was formerly the eastern wall of the old Roman castle; a well of pure water, still in use, under the adjoining house, having been just within the wall of that fortress. It was opened on July 5th, 1856. From the terms of the original deed of settlement of the company we may give the following items.
The Indenture, dated July 18th, 1855, was registered the 31st of the same month; the agreement being, on the first part, between Thomas Armstrong, Merchant; Henry Turner, Land Agent; George Wright, Merchant; Henry Nicholson, Draper; William Preston Carlton, Chemist; and others, all of Horncastle; with certain residents in the neighbourhood on the second part; and Frederick W. Tweed, of Horncastle, Gentleman, as trustee to give effect to the covenant, on the third part. The said parties agree to form themselves a Joint Stock Company, within the meaning of the Act 7 and 8 Victoria, c. 110, to provide a building for the purposes, according to these presents, viz., a Corn Exchange, which can also be used for concerts, exhibitions, and other public objects, on such terms as the committee may think fit.
The capital of the company to be £3,000, in 600 shares of £5 each; annual meetings of shareholders to be held on May 2nd; any five, or more, owning 25 shares, may require the directors to convene an extraordinary meeting. The capital may be increased by additional shares of £5, not exceeding 300; money may be borrowed on mortgage, not exceeding at any one time £1,500. One-third of the original directors to retire in May, 1856, being eligible for re-election. In May, 1857, one-half of the remaining original directors to retire; and similarly in succeeding years one-third to retire in rotation, according to seniority. Any director to forfeit office on ceasing to hold five shares; anyone intending to apply for directorate, to give at least 10 days' notice. Directors to meet at least once every three months; any two directors may require the secretary to convene a meeting, at any time, for any desirable special object.
The Court of Directors to apply to the Privy Council (Board of Trade) ​for permission to purchase, or rent, land or buildings, as may seem to be needed; or to let, or lease, buildings, offices, &c., as they may think fit; or to make mortgages, conveyances, &c., for the purposes of the company. A reserve fund (by clause 67) to be established, by setting apart one per cent of the profits in any year; the accumulation to be employed for the benefit of the company, as may seem to them desirable. Shares to be sold (by clause 68) for the benefit of the company, by a vote of a majority at a general meeting. No sum beyond £400, at any one time, to be negotiated by promissory note or bill of exchange.
That a report be presented, and dividend declared, at an annual meeting, on March 25th, with seven days notice to each shareholder. A common seal
Watermill Road during the Flood, Dec., 31, 1900.
to be kept in a place of safety, and affixed to all legal documents, by the secretary, in the presence of three directors. Henry Nicholson, Draper, to be the first auditor, paid as committee of directors decide. Samuel Sketchley to to be the first solicitor; and the Lincoln and Lindsey Bank the company's bank. Thomas Armstrong, Timothy Collinson, and Robert Edwin Kemp to be the first trustees of the company.
The books may be inspected by any shareholder, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., in the presence of the secretary, or other person nominated in accordance with Act 7 and 8 Victoria, c. 110. By clause 89 it was provided that, in case of the company being wound up, the chairman should declare the company ​to be dissolved with all convenient speed; all property to be sold, and converted into ready money, to meet all claims; a final distribution of assets to be made; no sale by private contract to any shareholder being allowed. This deed was signed, sealed, and delivered by the said F. W. Tweed, and witnessed by J. S. Cropper, Horncastle, July 18th, 1855.
On Nov. 6th, 1889, a meeting was held to consider whether the company should be wound up; but it was decided to continue it, and of late years the financial position of the company has improved; the report for 1906 shews total receipts for the past year, £145 13s. 1d.; expenditure £87 2s. 10d.; leaving balance £58 10s. 3d.; allowing a dividend of £1 10s. per cent., the sum of £6 0s. 3d. being still in hand. Offices on the same premises are rented by Mr. Reuben Roberts, Corn Merchant.
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; 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. 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, 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 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.
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
West Street during the Flood, Dec. 31, 1900.
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 almshouses; (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; the records of which are preserved, among other public documents, in Pontefract Castle.
Conging Street during the Flood, Dec. 31, 1900.
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 "fire-locks" 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.
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-comissioned officers and privates, numbering, in the course of a few years, more than
The Stanch.
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 Serjeant, and then Lieutenant; having under him, as Lieutenants, Messrs. W. Jeffery and W. S. Clitherow, who were succeeded by Richard V. 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.
CEREMONIAL.
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. | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Cornucopiæ, with Corn and Salt, borne by Masters of Lodges | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | Prov. Grand Steward. |
| Prov. Grand Steward. | $\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \end{matrix}}\right.}$ | Ewers, with Wine and Oil Borne by Masters of Lodges. | $\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ | 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.
* ↑ Garnier's Annals of British Peasantry, 1895.
* ↑ As an instance of this the Horncastle Union comprises 69 parishes.
* ↑ These books were inspected by the present writer a few years ago, although now (1906) supposed to be lost. In the account of Thimbleby, given in the appendix to this volume, instances are given of various forms of relief to paupers, in coals, shoes, petticoats, &c., but always on condition that they attended the church services regularly, otherwise such relief was forfeited.
* ↑ In some parts of the country "black bread," made of oatmeal, was in use, among the humbler classes, as late as in 1850.
* ↑ This had been forestalled as early as in the reign of Edward I.; a Pipe Roll dated 12 Edward I. (A.D. 1284) shows that a payment of 60 shillings was made for a common oven, rented of the Bishop of Carlisle, as Lord of the Manor. Lincs. Notes & Queries, vol. iv, p. 237.
* ↑ The older ones among us will remember that in the days of our grandmothers the spinning wheel was usually to be seen in the boudoir, or drawing room. A common shrub of our hedgerows and copses is the spindle tree (euonymus europeus), so named because of its compact, yet light, wood was made the spindle of the spinster. An old MS., kept by Sarah Cleveland, shows how not only the poor but ladies of all ranks, like the Homeric Penelope and her maidens, practised spinning; the younger with a view to providing a marriage portion for themselves; whence, until marriage, they were called "spinsters," a term still in use. [Berenden Letters of William Ward and his family, of Berenden, Kent, 1758-1821, edited by C. F. Hardy. Dent & Co., 1901.] It may be here mentioned that the ancient building in Boston named Shodfriars' Hall, was formerly a spinning school. In the Parish Register of Wispington, in this neighbourhood, not only is the female mentioned as "spinster," but the male is called "weaver," and in the adjoining parish of Woodhall there is a "weavers' close," part of which is named "tailors' garth," in the same connection, and the present parish clerk's grandmother, a Mrs. Oldfield, had herself a hand loom; and in the parish of Minting weaving is known to have been carried on extensively, an informant telling the present writer that his grandmother had a hand loom, see Records of Woodhall Spa, &c., under Minting, by the author. In Horncastle a weaver, named Keeling, formerly occupied the premises now the book-seller's shop of Mr. Hugh Wilson; another lived in the house, 3, North Street, now occupied by Mr. G. Walkley.
* ↑ The members of this committee are given as Rev. Jas. Fowler (Vicar), Joshua Towne (a well-known clock maker, whose clocks are still valued), Geo. Heald (gent), James Watson, William Maddison, Robert Boulton, John Spraggings, Francis Rockliffe, and Joshua Vickers (hatter).
* ↑ In digging to lay the foundations of the building, a considerable number of ancient jars were exhumed, which passed subsequently into the possession of the Chaplain, the late Rev. E. M. Chapman, Rector of Low Toynton. After disappearing for some years, several of these were sold in 1905. They are supposed to be Cyprus ware. The present writer has three of them, others have been presented to different museums, &c.
* ↑ The only town constable at that time was a feeble old man (it was said) a former smuggler. He afterwards retired from this post, for which he was unfitted, and became host of the Lord Nelson Inn, close by the former scene of his duties. We may add that the sign of this inn, a good portrait of Nelson, was the work of the artist Northouse.
* ↑ £300 was borrowed Nov. 19th, 1901,
* ↑ Robert Whelpton, the father of George, who was also a shoemaker, used to relate that he made shoes for Sir John Franklin, before he went out as Governor of Tasmania. Sir John, a native of Spilsby, was brother-in-law of Mr. Henry Selwood, who lived in the house on the west side of the Market Place, now occupied by Mr. R. W. Clitherow, which would be opposite Whelpton's shop. Sir John was Governor of Tasmania 1866-1842.
* ↑ William Thomas Whelpton took as a residence 69, Gloucester Crescent, Regent's Park. London; and Henry Robert Whelpton resided in Upton Park, Slough.
* ↑ While at Derby he revisited Horncnstle, driving over in a hired carriage, with pair of horses, and it is said that a local wag, seeing his carriage in the Bull Hotel yard, wrote upon it with chalk: "Who would have thought it. That pills could have bought it?"
* ↑ His wife's maiden name was Barber. She was, by profession, a lady's stay maker, and occupied a house standing on the site of the present Church National School.
* ↑ The inscription on the houses states that they were erected by George Whelpton, of 1, Albert Road, Regent's Park, London, in 1861, in memory of his wife Elizabeth, who died Dec. 11, 1859.
* ↑ The present writer still has in his possession, as a cherished heirloom, the sword and sash of his grandfather, the owner of Tanshelf House, Pontefract, as well as of residences at Lofthouse and Methley.
* ↑ Similarly the present writer has a photograph of an uncle, who was an officer of yeomanry in 1804, and lived to join the modern yeomanry in 1860.