THE DISPENSARY
May well be said to be the most important charity in the town, not only
from the valuable services which it has, through many years, rendered to
the suffering poor, but because it was a pioneer institution of its kind;
while the area of its usefulness has probably been more extensive than
that of any similar charity in the county.
Dispensaries were established at Louth in the year 1803, at Lincoln in
1826, at Grantham in 1838, at Boston in 1852, at Market Rasen in 1857;
but Horncastle was in advance of the earliest of these by more than a
dozen years. Further, the records of the charity shew, that, in the
early years of its existence, patients were here treated from places so
distant as Spilsby, Friskney, Wainfleet, Trusthorpe, Theddlethorpe,
Alford, Fotherby, Marsh Chapel, Saltfleetby, Boston, Lincoln, Sleaford,
Grantham, and even beyond the county, from Loughborough, Hull, and
Beverley.
This, it may be explained, was mainly due to the fact that it was
virtually the creation of a man who was, in many matters, in advance of
his time, that great public benefactor, Sir Joseph Banks, Bart., of
Revesby Abbey, who held the Manor of Horncastle, and took the greatest
interest in the welfare of the town and neighbourhood.
At a preliminary meeting held at the Bull Inn, Horncastle, on Wednesday,
Oct., 28, 1789, it was resolved, apparently on his initiative, to
establish a dispensary; and this took formal shape on Dec. 3rd following,
when the governing body was elected, consisting of Sir Jos. Banks,
President, with Vice-Presidents the Honble. Lewis Dymoke, King's
Champion, Thomas Coltman, Esq., William Elmhirst, Esq., Treasurer, and
Richard Clitherow, Gent., legal adviser; the Honorary Physicians being
Edmund Laycock, M.D., and Edward Harrison, M.D., with Mr. John Chislett
as Surgeon and Apothecary.
A code of rules was drawn up, which, with occasional revisions, to suit
changing circumstances, remain substantially the same to the present day.
A donation of 10 guineas constituted a life Governor, a legacy of the
like amount gave the trustee paying it the same privilege. An annual
subscription of one guinea made the subscriber a Governor during the
year. Church or chapel collections of two guineas secured governorship
for the year to the minister, and an additional Governor for each two
guineas so collected. The officials were to be a President,
Vice-Presidents, and Treasurer, elected annually at a special meeting of
the Governors. Other regulations, as to patients and their attendance,
numbered between 40 and 50.
The institution was to be open on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m.
till noon, when the medical officers would prescribe for patients,
attending with a governor's nomination. Those unable to attend should be
visited at their homes. As a small practical beginning the wooden
framework of a shop was bought at Wainfleet, for the small sum of 5/5;
and drugs were ordered from the firm of Wallis & Stockton, of York; and a
further supply obtained from Messrs. Skeen & Peale, of London.
The first building, which was used from 1789 till 1867, was No. 2 on the
south side of St. Mary's Churchyard, being rented for the sum of five
guineas a year, until it was purchased in Feb., 1810, for the
institution, jointly by Dr. Harrison and the Rev. John Fretwell, {120a}
for 111 pounds 2s. 8d., the conveyance being effected by Mr. Clitherow at
a charge of 13 pounds 15s. 8d. Improvements were made in this building,
at a cost of 13 pounds 5s., in 1812, and of 27 pounds 15s. 7d. in 1821.
Of the first physicians, Dr. Laycock resigned office in his first year,
on Sept. 29th, 1790; but Dr. Harrison continued his duties for many
years, only retiring on Oct. 11th, 1821, shortly before his death.
Although that gentleman carried on a private asylum, for patients
mentally affected, at his own residence in West Street, {120b} he took a
great interest in the Dispensary, and was indefatigable in his
attendances, often at his own inconvenience. Moreover his pecuniary
assistance was not small; as, besides sharing in the purchase of the
premises in St. Mary's Churchyard, the accounts shew that in 1820 he paid
27 pounds, and in the following year 19 pounds 14s. 4d., for Dispensary
expenses, which sums were afterwards repaid to him by the Governors; and
(as will be shewn hereafter) he bequeathed at his death 100 pounds to the
funds. A vote of thanks was passed to him at the annual meeting of the
Governors in September of 1821, for a further gift of 21 pounds, with the
expression of their regret that his valuable services could no longer be
given. Associated with Dr. Harrison, in dispensary work, was Dr.
Fawssett, appointed on the resignation of Dr. Laycock, who loyally
co-operated with that gentleman for 33 years, and only survived him two
years, dying on Oct. 16th. 1823.
Since that time almost all the medical men of the town have, in their
turns, rendered useful service to the Dispensary. It would be invidious
to single out any of these as being more capable, or more devoted to the
work, than others; but we may mention one exceptional case, which all
will recognize. From an early period medical pupils were allowed to
visit the Dispensary, in order to study special cases, and the treatment
they received from qualified practitioners. Among these was a young man,
Mr. E. P. Charlesworth, who virtually here received the early part of his
medical education. He afterwards, for some years, practised in
Horncastle; and in Dec., 1807, a resolution of the Governors was passed,
conveying to him their warm thanks for his generosity in relieving poor
patients, often at his own expense, and for his readiness to receive
them, for consultation, at his own residence, and to make up drugs for
them at all hours. He subsequently removed to Lincoln, and became a
noted physician, whose reputation extended considerably beyond the
county. During 33 years he was one of the most active medical advisers
and patrons of the Lincoln Lunatic Asylum; and, after his death in 1853,
a statue of him, in white marble, was erected in the grounds of that
institution.
[Picture: High Street]
All these medical attendants at the Dispensary gave their services
gratuitously until, at a general meeting, held on April 23rd, 1878, a
resolution was passed, that henceforth the two doctors should each be
paid 30 pounds a year, which has been the rule ever since. At that date
the late Dr A. E. Boulton resigned, and Mr. Robert Jalland and Dr. Haddon
were the first to receive this well-merited remuneration, attending to
their duties in alternate months.
Scattered about the minute books of the institution are various notes, of
some interest, from which we here give a selection. On Feb. 23rd, 1790,
the Rev. John Fretwell, "sensible of the distresses of the sick poor,
gave one and a half guineas from the communion money, to be laid out in
salop sago and Bowen's sago powder, to be distributed at the discretion
of the faculty." Nov. 27th, 1790, cases of small pox having occurred in
the town, it was resolved to inoculate all poor persons, free of charge;
and thereafter many names are given of those who underwent the operation.
With this we may compare the following entry as indicating the progress
of medical science during 12 years. June 8th, 1802, an epidemic of small
pox having occurred, and "inoculation becoming general, the Governors
recommend vaccination." A statement was printed for circulation, that in
100,000 cases of vaccination, not one death had ensued; that it was now
practised in all parts of the world, and favourably received, and that
the National Institution of France had pronounced it to be the greatest
discovery of the last century. {122}
Feb. 4th, 1792, has an entry, in no way bearing upon dispensary work, but
interesting as a memento of an old mode of conveyance. The proprietors
of the sedan chair asked permission for it to be kept at the Dispensary,
for which they were willing to pay one guinea annually; and this was
agreed to at the next meeting of the Governors. This chair was let out
to convey ladies to evening parties in the town. It was borne by two
men, and was in use within living memory, as late as "in the sixties."
April 21st, 1792. A gift of apparatus for the recovery of drowned
persons, with a drag, was received from the Royal Humane Society of
London. A water bed was afterwards purchased, which was let out for a
small fee to poor patients, temporarily bed-ridden.
On Nov. 28th, 1809, at a special meeting of the Governors, the usefulness
of the Dispensary was further extended by the appointment of a midwife,
to attend upon poor women in labor, both in town and country, being paid
from the funds of the charity, a fee of 3/6 for each case; and from the
year 1810 to 1829, inclusive, Mrs. Elizabeth Southwell is mentioned, from
time to time, as acting in that capacity. In the years 1829, 30 and 31,
owing to the increase in the number of patients, special appeals were
made to the landowners of the district for increased support.
In July, 1834, a resolution was passed that doctors attending patients at
the Dispensary, might introduce pupils, to study cases under their
treatment; and, in one case, a lady applied for permission to attend a
course of instruction, in order that she might be enabled to assist her
husband in making up medicines. From 1840 to 1894 drugs were supplied by
Messrs. Herring & Co., of London, but since that they have been supplied
by local chemists, who are subscribers.
In the autumn of 1840 there was an epidemic of scarlatina, and of the 237
patients on the books, 50 were suffering from that complaint. In
consequence of the additional work thus caused, the salary of the
dispenser was raised from 40 to 60 pounds a year.
Again, with regard to a new source of income, among early notices we find
the following: that on Sept. 29th, 1790, the first anniversary of the
Dispensary's formation, a sermon was preached, on its behalf, at a
service in the parish church, by the Rev. John Dymoke, Rector of
Scrivelsby, and Chaplain to his grace the Duke of St. Albans. This
became an annual observance, and has continued so ever since, the
preachers being selected with special care, and often from a considerable
distance. For instance, at the following anniversary, in 1791, the Rev.
Everard Duckworth, LL.D., Prebendary of Canterbury, was invited to
preach, and he being unable to undertake that office, the Rev. Peter
Bulmer, Vicar of Thorpe, officiated in his stead. Among other preachers
named we find the Rev. Basil Beridge, well-known for his works of
charity, Rector of Algarkirk, near Boston; the Rev. W. Goodenough,
Archdeacon of Carlisle; the Rev. E. R. Mantell, Vicar of Louth, and other
prominent clergy of the county.
How widely the institution was appreciated is shewn by the number of
leading persons who gave it their patronage. Sir Joseph Banks was its
warmest supporter, through life, regularly attending the committee
meetings, either as a Governor or President, until his decease, June 19,
1820; and his example brought to the meetings members of the Chaplin,
Massingberd, and Heneage families, Lord Yarborough, and others, at no
small inconvenience, from considerable distances.
[Picture: The Bull Ring]
Among other Presidents have been the widowed Lady Banks; Lord Yarborough,
on several occasions; the Honble. and Rev. John Dymoke; to whom succeeded
the Honble. Henry, afterwards Sir Henry Dymoke, Bart.; Lord Worsley; the
Right Honble. E. Stanhope, M.P.; J. Banks Stanhope, Esq. After the death
of Mr. Stanhope, Jan. 18th, 1904, it was resolved, at a special meeting
of the Governors, Jan. 28th, that the Secretary should record, among the
minutes, their regret at his death, and their high appreciation of his
long and generous support. The chairman was requested to send a copy of
this to the Honble. Mrs. Stanhope; and at a meeting held on March 31st,
following, a very kind letter in reply was read from Mrs. Stanhope,
promising her support in the future, in lieu of that of the deceased
gentleman. The chairman was again requested to convey to her the thanks
of the Governors, and Mrs. Stanhope was elected and continued to be
President until her death, October 25th, 1907.
Among Vice-Presidents have been two Earls Fortescue (father and son);
Lord Worsley: Sir Joseph Hawley, Bart.; J. Hassard Short, Esq.; Earl
Manvers; C. H. Massingberd Mundy, Esq.; General Sir E. Brackenbury,
Knight of Hanover; J. Lewis Ffytche, Esq.; Capt. Dallas York, Lord
Willoughby d'Eresby; Sir H. M. Hawley, Bart.
For many years a ball was given in aid of the funds, in the Assembly
Room, Bull Hotel, Horncastle, which (with the exception perhaps of the
"stuff" ball at Lincoln) was the most fashionably attended of any such
gathering in the county. Among the stewards of this ball we find the
names of G. M. Alington, Esq., of Swinhope Hall; Joseph Livesey, Esq.,
Stourton Hall; C. Waldo Sibthorpe, Esq., Canwick Hall; G. F. W.
Sibthorpe, Esq.; Col. Sibthorpe, M.P.; the Right Honble. C. T.
d'Egremont, M.P.; E. Heneage, Esq., M.P.; Capt. Mansell, of Well Hall; G.
B. Langton, Esq., of Langton Hall; J. Banks Stanhope, M.P.; Sir Montague
Cholmondly, Bart.; Sir Charles H. J. Anderson, of Lea, Bart.; Sir William
Ingilby, Bart., Ripley Castle, Yorks; Lord Yarborough; H. Handley, M.P.,
Sleaford; Lord Amelius Beauclerk; Capt. Boucherett, North Willingham
Hall; Honble. Capt. Monson; Capt. Lionel Dymoke.
Among the lady patronesses were Lady Worsley, the Duchess of St. Albans,
Lady Mary Christopher, Mrs. G. W. Sibthorpe, Lady Anderson, Mrs. Livesey,
Lady Nelthorpe, Lady Dymoke, Lady Albinia Pye.
These balls were discontinued, to the general regret, and to the loss of
the dispensary, after the year 1871; and to make up for the loss Mr. J.
Banks Stanhope in that year presented the institution with a cheque for
20 pounds.
We close this list of officials, with a brief account of the dispensers,
on whom the efficiency of the institution largely depended. They were
usually qualified chemists, or surgeons and apothecaries; and generally
also acted as secretaries. The first of these we have already named, Mr.
John Chislett, to him succeeded Mr. Lewis Bilton, secretary and
compositor, 1793-1799; L. Barton, compositor, 1799-1801; G. Lunn,
compositor, 1801-1807; John Lenton, compositor, 1807-1809; William
Morley, compositor, 1809-1810; Thomas Taylor, surgeon apothecary,
compositor, 1811-1826; Thomas Snaith, Surgeon, 1826-1834; William Ward,
surgeon and apothecary, 1834-1839; W. Shepherd, 1839-1840 (ad interim);
Francis Macarthur, {124} dispenser, 1840-1865; William Caunt, dispenser,
1865-75; William Betts, Chemist and Druggist, 1875, Lady-day; elected
secretary Nov. 2nd, 1882; his services have extended over a longer period
than those of any previous dispenser.
On the death of the Champion, Sir Henry Dymoke, Bart., April 28th, 1865,
the Governors resolved to erect a new dispensary, as a memorial of his
long connection with the charity. Circulars were issued inviting
subscriptions, and, among other donors, Robert Vyner, Esq., of Gautby
Hall, gave 200 pounds; the site of 52, North Street, was purchased, and
the present building was erected in 1866. In 1867 the old house in the
churchyard was sold for 142 pounds 11s. 4d., and the new premises were
occupied in the autumn of that year. It was built from the designs of
Messrs. Bellamy & Hardy, Architects, of Lincoln, the contractor for the
work being Mr. Robert Carter, Builder, of North Street, Horncastle. The
original contract was for 765 pounds, but the ultimate cost, with
furniture, lawyer's expenses, &c., amounted to 1,026 pounds 10s. 11d. It
is subject to a ground rent of 1 pound to the Stanhope estate.
Of late years the support, by subscriptions, has on several occasions
been inadequate. In January, 1899, there being a deficit of 70 pound,
the late Mr. J. Banks Stanhope gave the Governors a cheque for that
amount. In the year 1905, there being again a serious deficit,
application was made to the trustees of the Hurstcroft and Snowden
charity, and they contributed 20 pounds on condition that 25 poor
children should receive medical treatment free of charge. A further sum
of 53 pounds 14s. remaining as a surplus, in the hands of the Soup
Kitchen Committee, was also given to the funds. Canon Quarrington,
formerly Vicar of Horncastle, also contributed 20 pounds; and other
donations made up a relief fund of 106 pounds (see Report for the year).
The debt was thus wiped out, but death having carried off many former
subscribers, increased support will be needed in the future.
Legacies have been bequeathed to the institution by various persons, at
different times, as follows: Dr. Harrison, by will dated Feb. 5th, 1820,
left 100 pounds; the late H. J. Fielding, Esq., who died Aug. 10th, 1879,
left by will 100 pounds; in 1884 the late Mr. T. Garfit bequeathed 100
pounds; ten 10 pounds shares in the railway were bequeathed by Mrs. Fox
Marshall in 1897; 100 pounds was bequeathed by Mr. J. W. Hart, of
Tetford, in 1900; Mr. John Bancroft left 50 pounds in 1905; 357 pounds
were invested in Consols and 200 pounds in railway shares, in 1899; a
portion of this was sold in 1902, and 300 pounds were invested in the
Corn Exchange; the Dispensary premises were also insured for 800 pounds,
instead of 600 pounds, in the County Fire Office, in 1902.
It will thus be seen that although the operations of the institution no
longer embrace the extended area of the early years of its existence, it
is still doing a most valuable work in the alleviation of suffering among
the poor and needy, in both town and country for many miles round, and is
thoroughly deserving of the increased support, which is required, to
continue its efficiency. We trust that this will be recognized by the
land owners and others, and that such assistance will be forthcoming.