Building record MLI34027 - Former Williamson's Almshouses, 3 St Peter's Street, Stamford
Summary
Former Williamson's Almshouses, 3 St Peter's Street, Stamford
Type and Period (2)
Protected Status/Designation
Full Description
PRN 34027
This building is no longer an almshouse. It dates from the early 17th century and is of one storey with semi-attics. Inside, it has robustly crude plasterwork with animals, fruit and also Susanna and the Elders. {1}
The building dates from early 17th century. It was adapted in the later 18th century and was known as Williamson's Hospital, founded by George Williamson, a local grocer. The building was adapted to accommodate six poor widows, 'as shall be as near to the age of 48 as shall be'. It is a one storey building with semi-attics. The 1851 census gives names of seven widows aged between 65 and 79 who lived in the building, three described as 'school mistress' or 'governess', one a monthly nurse and another a charwoman. The building was sold and is no longer an almshouse. {3}
Williamson's Hospital was founded by George Williamson, a grocer, in 1763 and used a pre-existing building to house the almshouse. There are five shields above the door which presumably represent benefactors to the charity. The building is now a private house. {4}
This house was probably built in the early 17th century. The first floor east room contains early 17th century decorative plasterwork of elaborate but provincial character. The ceiling is divided into compartments, each of which contains conventional patterns including scrollwork, foliage, cherubs, human and animal heads and hippocampi. The wall decorations include vine trails and scenes showing a goose between foxes, a mouse between cats and a woman between men (possibly representing Susannah and the Elders). Behind the main single storey building is a two storey building which was built in two stages during the 18th century, probably to provide almshouse accommodation. {2}
For the full description and the legal address of this listed building please refer to the appropriate List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. {5}
Sources/Archives (5)
- <1> SLI1062 Bibliographic Reference: Nikolaus Pevsner and John Harris, with Nicholas Antram. 1989. Buildings of England: Lincolnshire (Second Edition). pp 698, 707.
- <2> SLI912 Bibliographic Reference: Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England. 1977. An Inventory of Historical Monuments. The Town of Stamford. No 398, p 153, plate 84.
- <3> SLI9009 Bibliographic Reference: Linda Crust. 2002. Lincolnshire Almshouses: Nine Centuries of Charitable Housing. p.41 - 42.
- <4> SLI12378 Bibliographic Reference: Smith, M.. 1990. Stamford Almshouses. p.12.
- <5> SLI6708 Index: Department of the Environment. 1974. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. 1/326.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred TF 0267 0701 (18m by 19m) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | STAMFORD, SOUTH KESTEVEN, LINCOLNSHIRE |
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Related Events/Activities (1)
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Record last edited
Mar 21 2021 8:35PM
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