gate from which it is named, and extends in length from Blowbladder
street to Aldersgate bars, including part of Noble street, almost all
Foster lane, St. Martin’s le Grand, Bull and Mouth street, Little
Britain, and Aldersgate street. The principal buildings are two
churches, St. Botolph’s and St. Ann’s, Goldsmiths-hall, Cooks-hall,
Coachmakers-hall, Shaftsbury house, a noble building now used for the
London lying-in hospital, and London-house. This ward is governed by
an Alderman, two Deputies, and eight Common Council Men; eight
constables, nine scavengers, nineteen wardmote inquest men and a
beadle. The jurymen returned by the wardmote inquest serve in the
several courts in Guildhall in the month of August.
ALDGATE, was one of the four original gates of the city, and that
through which the Roman vicinal way led to the _trajectus_ or ferry at
Old Ford. Stow says, that it received its name from its antiquity,
which Maitland observes is very improbable, though he allows that the
Saxons might give it the epithet of _Eald_ or _Ald_, from the ruinous
condition in which they found it when they first possessed themselves
of this city. However, the first time it is found mentioned, is in a
charter granted by King Edgar about the year 967.
Aldgate being very ruinous, was pulled down in the year 1606, and the
first stone of the present edifice was laid the next year; but this
work was not finished till 1609. It is observable that in digging the
foundation, several Roman coins were discovered, two of which Mr. Bond
the surveyor caused to be cut on stone, and placed on each side of the
east front. On the same side was placed in a large square the statue
of King James I. in gilt armour, with a golden lion and a chained
unicorn couchant at his feet. On the top of the gate was a vane
supported by a gilt sphere, on each side of which stood a soldier
holding a bullet in his hand, on the top of the upper battlements. On
the west side was a figure of Fortune gilt, and standing on a globe,
with a prosperous sail spreading over her head; under which was carved
the King’s arms; some what lower on the south side stood Peace with a
dove perched on her hand, and a gilded wreath in the other; and on the
north side was the emblem of Charity. Over the arch of the gate was
also engraven,
_Senatus Populusque_ Londinensis
_Fecit_ 1609
HUMFREY WELD, Maior.
But all these statues have been removed, and none of these ornaments
remain, except the representation of the two Roman coins, and the
inscription.
The apartments over this gate are appropriated to the use of one of
the Lord Mayor’s carvers.
ALDGATE _high street_, extends from Aldgate to Leadenhall street.
ALDGATE _street_, extends without Aldgate, to the north east corner of
the Minories.
ALDGATE WARD, is bounded on the east by Portsoken ward; on the south by
Tower street ward; and on the west and north, by the wards of
Langbourn, Lime street and Bishopsgate. It extends from Aldgate to
Lime street corner in Leadenhall street, and takes in all the streets
and lanes on the one hand to Bevis Mark and Shoemaker row, and on the
other to Ironmongers hall in Fenchurch street; to the navy office,
only a part of which is in this ward, and to the end of River street
Tower hill; including Poor Jury lane, Crutched Friars, London street,
Woodroff lane, _&c._ The principal buildings are these four parish
churches, St. Catharine Cree church, St. Andrew Undershaft, St. James
Duke’s place, and St. Catharine Coleman; three Jews Synagogues, and
the Ironmongers, Fletchers and Bricklayers halls. It is under the
government of an Alderman and six Common Council men, one of whom is
the Alderman’s deputy, with six constables, nine scavengers, eighteen
wardmote inquest men, and a beadle. The jurymen returned by the
wardmote inquest, serve as jurors in the several courts of Guildhall
in the month of January. _Maitland._
ALEXANDER’S _yard_, Water lane, Fleet street.†
ALIENATION OFFICE in the Inner Temple, is one of the offices under the
Lord Chancellor. Here all writs of covenants and entry upon which
fines are levied, and recoveries suffered, are carried to have fines
for alienation, set and paid thereupon. This office is executed by
three commissioners. _Chamberlain’s Present State._
ALLARD’S _hill_, Rotherhith wall.†
ALLEN’S _street_, Goswell street.†
ALLEN’S _court_, 1. Leadenhall street.† 2. Oxford street.†
ALLEN’S _rents_, Houndsditch, Bishopsgate street without.†
ALLEYN’S COLLEGE at Dulwich. See DULWICH _college_. ALLEYN’S ALMSHOUSE
in Lamb alley in Bishopsgate street. This charitable foundation, was
erected in Petty France by Edward Alleyn, a comedian, about the year
1614, and from thence removed to the above place upon the rebuilding
of Petty France, now called New Broad street. Ten poor men and women
are, besides their lodging, allowed about 40_s._ _per annum_, and
every other year the men have coats and breeches, and the women gowns
and petticoats. _Maitland._
ALLEYN’S ALMSHOUSE, in Pesthouse lane near Old street, was founded by
the above Edward Alleyn, about the year 1616, for ten poor men and
women; who receive 6_d._ per week each, and every other year coats and
gowns.
ALLEYN’S ALMSHOUSE in Soap yard, Deadman’s Place in Southwark, was also
founded by the above Edward Alleyn, about the year 1616, for ten poor
men and women, with an allowance of only 6_d._ per week.
ALLHALLOWS _Barking_ church, at the east end of Tower street, is so
denominated from its being dedicated to all the Saints, vulgarly
called Allhallows; and its anciently belonging to the Abbess and
Convent of Barking in Essex. It escaped the fire in 1666, and carries
about it the marks of that period when architecture was not well
understood in England. The church is of considerable extent, and the
steeple is a plain tower with its turret. It is a vicarage in the
patronage of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Vicar, besides other
advantages, receives about 126_l._ a year in tithes.
ALLHALLOWS _Bread street_. The old church was destroyed by the dreadful
conflagration which laid most of the other churches in ruins; and the
present edifice was erected in 1684. It consists of a plain body, and
a square tower divided into four stages with arches near the top. It
is a rectory, and one of the thirteen peculiars in this city belonging
to the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The advowson of this church is in the Archbishop of Canterbury, and to
this parish that of St. John the Evangelist is united. The Vicar,
besides glebes, casualties, annual donations, and other advantages,
receives 1401. a year in lieu of tithes. _Maitland._
The following monumental inscripton in this church is worthy of a
place in this work. It is to the memory of Humfrey Levins, a citizen
and grocer of London, who died in 1682, in the fifty-third year of his
age, and his son Humfrey, a youth aged fourteen, who died in 1677, and
lies buried in the same grave.
Which shall we weep? both merit tears; yet sure
Tears are but vain, where bliss is so secure.
Which shall we praise? our eulogy can’t add
Unto the bless’d, who God’s kind euge had.
Our duty’s but to imitate and admire
This happy pair of the celestial choir.
ALLHALLOWS _the Great_, situated on the south side of Thames street, was
anciently denominated _Allhallows the More_, and _Allhallows ad Fœnum_
in the _Ropery_, from its vicinity to a hay-wharf or market, and
situation among ropemakers. The old church with a large cloister on
the south side, were consumed in the general conflagration in 1666,
and the present edifice arose in 1683. It was built on Sir Christopher
Wren’s plan; but in some parts the mason has taken inexcusable
liberties. The church is 87 feet in length, 60 in breadth, and the
height to the roof is 33. It is built of stone, and there runs thro’
the whole, an apparent strength and solidity. The walls are plain and
massy, the ornaments are few and simple, and the apertures, tho’
large, in order to enlighten so considerable a breadth, are not
numerous. The tower is plain, square, and divided into five stages,
but terminates absolutely square and plain, without spire, turret or
pinacles. The cornice is supported by scrolls, and over these rises a
balustrade of solid construction, very proper for the rest of the
building. _Maitland, and English Architecture._
Among the funeral monuments in this church, before its being burnt,
was one in memory of Queen Elizabeth, with the following inscriptions:
If royal virtues ever crown’d a crown;
If ever mildness shin’d in majesty;
If ever honour honour’d true renown;
If ever courage dwelt with clemency;
If ever Princess put all Princes down,
For temperance, prowess, prudence, equity;
This, this was she, that in despight of death
Lives still admir’d, ador’d Elizabeth.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
_In the figure of a book above her picture_;
They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Sion, which shall not
be removed.
_On the right side_;
Spain’s rod, Rome’s ruin, the Netherlands relief,
Heaven’s gem, earth’s joy, world’s wonder, nation’s chief.
_On the left side_;
Britain’s blessing, England’s splendor,
Religion’s nurse, and Faith’s defender.
_And beneath_;
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, &c.
Queen Elizabeth died the 24th of March, 1602.
This church is a rectory, and one of the thirteen peculiars belonging
to the Archbishop of Canterbury; and to this parish that of Allhallows
the Less is annexed, by which the profits of the Rector are greatly
increased. He receives, besides glebes, &c. 200_l._ _per annum_ in
lieu of tithes.
ALLHALLOWS _Honey lane_, a small church, which stood where the east end
of Honey lane market is at present situated; but being destroyed by
the fire of London in 1666, the parish was by act of parliament united
to the church of St. Mary le Bow.
ALLHALLOWS _the Less_, stood on the south side of Thames street, almost
adjoining to that of Allhallows the Great; but having suffered in the
common calamity in 1666, the parish was united to that of Allhallows
the Great.
ALLHALLOWS _Lombard street_, situated in Bell alley, near the north
corner of Lombard street, in Langbourn ward. A church stood here under
the same patronage, before the year 1053; but the present plain,
well-proportioned building, was erected in the room of that destroyed
by the fire of London. The body is enlightened by a single series of
large windows, and the tower is terminated by a plain battlement.
This church is a rectory, and one of the thirteen peculiars in this
city belonging to the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Rector, besides
glebes, donations, and casualties, receives 110_l._ a year in lieu of
tithes. _Maitland._
ALLHALLOWS _London wall_, a small mean edifice, a little to the east of
Bethlem Hospital, on the outside of London wall. It escaped the fire
in 1666, and is a rectory, in the King’s gift.
ALLHALLOWS _Staining_, situated near the north end of Mark lane. It is
said to obtain the name of Staining, from the corruption of the word
_stoney_, because built at first of stone, when the other churches
dedicated to all the Saints were of wood. It escaped the fire in 1666.
The body is well illuminated with Gothic windows, and the square tower
is crowned with a small turret.
This church is a curacy, in the gift of the Grocers company. The
curate receives about 100_l._ a year by tithes. _Maitland, and English
Architecture._
ALLHALLOWS STAINING SCHOOL, was founded in the year 1658, by Mr. William
Winter, who endowed it with the sum of 600_l._ the profits arising
from which, amounting to 26_l._ _per annum_, are employed in
instructing six boys in reading, writing, and accounts, and putting
them out apprentice, with each of whom a sum is given not exceeding
10_l._
ALLHALLOWS _Lane_, near the Steelyard, Thames street.☐
ALLHALLOWS _Stairs_, Allhallows lane, Thames street.
_Lord High_ ALMONER, a clergyman of the highest rank, and frequently the
Archbishop of York, who has the office of disposing of the King’s
alms, and for that use receives all deodands, the goods of persons
found guilty of self-murder, and other sums allowed by his Majesty to
be disposed of for that purpose. Besides the sums distributed to the
poor of several parishes, there are many poor pensioners to the King
below stairs, who have a competency duly paid them, either because
they are so old as to be unfit for service, or because they are the
widows of such of his Majesty’s household servants as died poor, and
were unable to provide for their wives and children in their
life-times.
Under the Lord High Almoner, are a Sub-almoner, a Yeoman, and a Groom
of the Almonry.
ALMONRY, vulgarly called the _Ambry_, receives its name from the alms of
the Abbey being distributed there, and was originally a chapel
dedicated to St. Catharine, and not, as Mr. Stow asserts, to St. Anne.
Near this chapel Abbot Islip erected the first printing-house that
ever was in England in the year 1474; when Mr. William Caxton, a
citizen and mercer of London, bringing that invaluable art from
Holland, became the first printer in Britain. _Maitland._
ALMONRY SCHOOL, situated in the Almonry at Westminster, was founded in
the year 1677, by Henry Hill, Esq; who also endowed it with 7_l._ a
year for the education of poor children.
ALMSHOUSES. See a particular account of each under the names of their
respective founders. The number of persons contained in the several
Alms-houses and hospitals within the bills of mortality, with the
children put forth apprentice by the money collected at the feast, &c.
of the Sons of the Clergy, and the several poor families that
participate of the king’s annual charity, amount in the whole to about
8000 persons, and the sum employed for their relief to 80,000_l._
_Maitland._
ALMSHOUSE _yard_. 1. Little Almonry, Westminster. 2. Dormer’s Hill. 3.
Little Chapel street. 4. Coleman street. 5. Snow Hill, in which
Hammond’s almshouse is situated.
_St._ ALPHAGE, in Aldermanbury near London wall, owes its name to its
dedication to St. Alphage, or Elphege, a noble Saxon Saint, and
Archbishop of Canterbury, who was murdered at Greenwich by the pagan
Danes, in the year 1013. This church escaped the flames in 1666, and
is still standing; tho’ it is as mean a structure as can well be
conceived.
The living is a rectory in the patronage of the Bishop of London, and
the Rector receives about 75_l._ a year in tithes.
AMBLE _court_, near Wellclose square.
AMEN _corner_, at the end of Pater-noster-row, near St. Paul’s. See
PATER-NOSTER-ROW.
AMERSHAM, or AGMONDESHAM, a small but very ancient borough, in
Buckinghamshire, situated in a vale between woody hills, 29 miles from
London. This town does not come within the compass which we have
prescribed round London, but our map of the environs not being a
circle, the angles of it take in some few places at a greater distance
than 20 miles; and these being inserted in our map, we thought we
could not dispense with taking notice of them, as well as of those
within the prescribed limits. The town consists of a long street,
divided about the middle by a shorter cross street; in the
intersection of which stands the church, said to be the best rectory
in the county; it being well endowed by Geoffery de Mandeville, Earl
of Essex, in the reign of King Stephen. There is here a handsome
market-house, built with brick on arched pillars, about 80 years ago,
by Sir William Drake, Knt. It has a free school founded in the reign
of Queen Elizabeth; and here is also a fine seat called Shardelowes,
the manor of which formerly belonged to the noble family of the
Russels; but about the time of the restoration it was sold, with the
borough, to Sir William Drake, Bart. in whose family it still remains.
AMICABLE SOCIETY, in Serjeants-inn Fleet street, was incorporated by a
charter granted by Queen Anne, in the year 1706, for a perpetual
Assurance-office for the purpose of making a provision for their
wives, children, and other relations, after an easy, certain and
advantageous manner, with power to purchase lands, &c. and to have a
seal, which is a dove standing upon a serpent, and above in a scroll
the motto PRUDENS SIMPLICITAS. The number of persons to be
incorporated was not to exceed 2000. After paying the charges of the
policy, and 10_s._ entrance-money, each person was to pay 6_l._ 4_s._
_per annum_, which annual payments have since, by the increase of the
Society’s stock, been reduced to 5_l._ a year, payable quarterly, and
from these payments the dividends to claimants are to arise.
That this Society has been greatly beneficial to the public, evidently
appears from a state of their yearly dividends from Lady-day 1710, to
Lady 1757, during which each claim amounted upon an average to 106_l._
1_s._ 4_d._ but taking the computation only for these twenty-three
years last past, _viz._ from the year 1734, (when by an order of the
general court, a part of their yearly income was appropriated for
augmenting their claims whenever they should happen to be under
100_l._) the quantum of such claims from the year 1734 to 1757, have
amounted upon an average to 120_l._ 9_s._ 1_d._ and so considerable
has been the increase of the dividends for these nine years last past,
that each claim, during that period, has been advanced upon an average
to 142_l._ 6_s._ 5_d._
However, at a general court held May 12, 1757, an order was made for
farther augmenting the dividends on claims, so as that for the future
they will not be less than 125_l._ each claim, but yet may happen to
be considerably more, which has been the case of several former years.
The advantages from becoming members of this society are such as
follow:
To clergymen, physicians, surgeons, lawyers, tradesmen, and
particularly persons possessed of places or employments for life: to
such parents, husbands, or wives, and other relations, whose income is
subject to be determined or diminished at their respective deaths, who
by insuring their lives by means of this Society, may now in all
events leave to their families a claim, or right, to receive a sum not
less than 125_l._ for every five pounds annually paid in, and very
probably a larger sum, as appears by the above account.
To married persons, more especially where a jointure, pension, or
annuity depends on both or either of their lives, by insuring the life
of the persons intitled to such annuity, pension or jointure.
To dependents upon any other person intitled to a salary, benefaction,
or other means of subsistence, during the life of such person, whose
life being insured in this society, either by themselves, or by the
person upon whom they are dependent, will intitle them to receive upon
the death of such person, a sum not less than 125_l._ for each number
so insured.
To persons wanting to borrow money, who by insuring their lives, are
enabled to give a collateral security for the money borrowed.
To creditors intitled to demands larger than their debtors are able to
discharge, such debtors may, by a like insurance, secure to their
creditors their principal sums at their deaths.
The abovementioned advantages are chiefly with respect to perpetual
insurances for life; but temporary insurers may find no less advantage
from this Society, as may plainly appear from the following instance,
_viz._ _A. B._ has agreed for the purchase of an office or employment,
but wants 300_l._ or 400_l._ to make up the purchase-money: he is
willing to assign a share of the profits or income of his office, as a
security or pledge for the repayment of the principal with interest,
but cannot obtain a loan of that sum without insuring his life till
the whole be cleared, which he is enabled to do by the help of this
Society. For example; He purchases three numbers, on each of which he
insures his life, and thereby his assigns become intitled to three
several claims at his death; which claims, by the abovementioned
provision, will not be less than 125_l._ each, and may probably amount
to more: he assigns and deposits his policy with the lender: he pays
to the Society for the yearly contributions on the three numbers no
more than 5_l._ each, which is considerably less than 5_l._ _per
cent._ under which rate no other office will insure, and that for one
year only; at the end of which such offices are at liberty to refuse
any further insurance: whereas in this Society the insurance continues
during the life of the insured, unless excluded by the non-payment of
the quarterly contributions. And every insurer, or their
representatives, at the end of their insurance may in a great measure
(if not entirely) reimburse themselves their purchase-money
(originally paid by them for their numbers) by disposing of them at a
market price, which they may do without any farther trouble than
applying to the Society’s office.
The regulations of the Society are as follow:
All persons at the time of their admission are to be between the ages
of twelve and forty-five, and must then appear to be in a good state
of health.
Persons living in the country may be admitted by certificates and
affidavit, forms of which may be had at the office.
Every claimant is impowered to put in a new life in the room of the
deceased within twelve calendar months next after the end of the
current year, for which his or her claim shall be allowed as often as
the same shall happen, upon payment of 10_s._ entrance.
Any person may have two or three several insurances, or numbers, on
one and the same life, whereby such persons will be intitled to a
claim on each number so insured.
The affairs of the corporation are managed by a court of twelve
directors annually chosen within forty days after every 25th of March;
and the majority of the members assembled at a general court, which is
never to consist of less than twenty, are impowered to make laws and
ordinances for the good government of the corporation. The charter
directs one of the members of the Society to be elected their
Register, who being also their receiver and accomptant, is therefore
required by the by-laws to give good security in the sum of 2000_l._
at least.
Five members of the Society are annually elected auditors, who are by
their office to inspect every transaction of the Society, to examine
all vouchers for receipts and payments, and upon oath to lay before
the quarterly and annual general courts, the quarterly and annual
accounts of the Society: and on the day before the holding each court
of directors, the auditors are to state and enter in the directors
minute book a balance of the cash of the Society.
Attendance is daily given at the Society’s office from nine in the
morning, till two in the afternoon, holidays excepted. _From the
proposals printed by the Society._
AMSTERDAM _court_, Upper Shadwell.
AMYAS’S ALMSHOUSE was erected in George yard, Old street, in the year
1655, by Mrs. Susanna Amyas, for eight poor single men or women, who
have an allowance of 4_l._ _per annum_ each; besides 6_l._ to furnish
them all with coals, 1_l._ for water, and 1_l._ for one of the eight
to read prayers daily.
ANABAPTISTS, or, as they chuse to call themselves, Baptists. See an
account of their several places of worship, under the article BAPTIST.
ANCHOR _alley_. 1. Mint street,Southwark.* 2. Worcester place, Thames
street.*
ANCHOR AND HOPE _alley_, Green bank, near Wapping.*
ANCHOR _court_, Anchor street, Spitalfields.*
ANCHOR _lane_, Thames street.*
ANCHOR _street_. 1. By Webb’s square, Spitalfields.* 2. Thames street.*
ANCHOR _yard_, Barnaby street, Southwark.*
ANDERSON’S _yard_, Oxford street.†
ST. ANDREW’S _Holborn_, a plain but not inelegant church, situated on
the south side of Holborn, and at the corner of Shoe lane. It is
dedicated to St. Andrew the Apostle, who was distinguished by being
the first person Christ called for a disciple; and his suffering
martyrdom in Achaia. There was a church in this place called by the
name of the same Apostle, so early as the year 1297. The old church
escaped the flames in the dreadful fire of London, that proved fatal
to so many others; but ten years after being found too ruinous for
repair, was taken down in 1687, and the present structure erected in
its place, except the tower, which was not finished till the year
1704.