A History of Horncastle Part 17

Soon after the erection of the Corn Exchange, in 1856, the Mechanics'

Inst.i.tute 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 Inst.i.tute 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. (Cla.s.sified List, published by W. K. Morton, 1879.)

The first librarian was Mrs. Wood, a.s.sisted 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 Inst.i.tute, 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 Inst.i.tute was closed.

There were in the library, besides the books, a quant.i.ty 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 s.p.a.cious 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. {140} 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 acc.u.mulation 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.

[Picture: Watermill Road during the Flood, Dec., 31, 1900]

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 to be kept in a place of safety, and affixed to all legal doc.u.ments, 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 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 a.s.sets 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 circ.u.mstances.

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}

[Picture: West Street during the Flood, Dec. 31, 1900]

Among the doc.u.ments 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 c.l.i.therow, of Horncastle, Gentleman, surviving trustee and executor of the will of Samuel Curtis Lomas, late of Blencogo, Co. c.u.mberland, Surgeon, of the first part; George Whelpton, of No. 1, Albert Road, Regent's Park, Middles.e.x, of the second part; and William Thompson Whelpton, of No. 69, Gloucester Crescent, Regent's Park, Middles.e.x, 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 c.l.i.therow, 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, a.s.sisted 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 c.l.i.therow, 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 c.l.i.therow, 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 Devons.h.i.+re, 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 inst.i.tution 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 doc.u.ments, in Pontefract Castle.

[Picture: 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, ent.i.tled "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 circ.u.mstances 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 a.s.suming 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 sh.o.r.es 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 pa.s.sed 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, Ess.e.x, 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. c.l.i.therow, R. C. Armstrong, E.