WORKHOUSE OR UNION.
We 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. {133}
The "workhouse" preceded the "union," which latter term was adopted when
parishes, throughout a large district, were _united_ for the purposes of
poor relief. {134a} In some cases a country parish had its own
workhouse. For instance, old parish books of Thimbleby, {134b} show that
in 1819 20 pounds was spent upon the village workhouse, which was insured
for 200 pounds.
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, {134c} more conveniently than
they could at home. {134d} 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. {134e}
An important advance was made in poor relief, in 1735, when, as the same
records state, "on April 17 a committee was appointed, {134f} 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 pounds 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 {134g} 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 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. {135} This
prison was demolished in 1853, when the present police station was built,
facing the Wong, at a cost of 500 pounds, having four cells, for 12
prisoners, and a residence for a superintendent and constable.
[Picture: The Court House]
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 pounds.
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 pounds, 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
pounds 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 by
Mr. J. S. Balding, Butcher), where the members met for discussion, and
gradually established a good library.
[Picture: The Stanhope Memorial]
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 _Literae Laureatae_, 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 pound, in 600 shares of 5 pounds
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 pounds, not exceeding 300; money may be borrowed on mortgage, not
exceeding at any one time 1,500 pounds. {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 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 pounds, 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 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 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 pounds 13s. 1d.; expenditure
87 pounds 2s. 10d.; leaving balance 58 pounds 10s. 3d.; allowing a
dividend of 1 pound 10s. per cent., the sum of 6 pounds 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; {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 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 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 pounds 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 pounds 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 pounds," 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 Devonshire, the owner
of the whole town, as he is also of Buxton; and at a cost of about 20,000
pounds, 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; {145} the
records of which are preserved, among other public documents, 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, 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 "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 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. {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. 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.
[Picture: The Stanch]
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-commissioned officers and privates, numbering, in the
course of a few years, more than 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 Sergeant, and then Lieutenant; having under him, as
Lieutenants, Messrs. W. Jeffery and W. S. Clitherow, who were succeeded
by Richard W. 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. Cornucopiae with Corn Prov. Grand Steward.
and Salt,
borne by Masters of
Lodges
Prov. Grand Steward. Ewers with Wine and Prov. Grand Steward.
Oil,
borne by Masters of
Lodges.
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 Prov. Grand Steward.
Grand Master.
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 Cornucopiae, 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 pounds, raised by
public subscriptions.