This post covers the Almshouses to be seen between Reading and the Easternmost parts of Berkshire. It starts with the Robert Palmer's Cottages (above) in Pearson Street, Sonning, founded in 1850. The post finishes in Langley.
Next we have Barker's Almshouses, in Church Hill, St Nicholas, Hurst. The Inscription over the door reads: "The hospital for the Maintenance of eight poor persons each at 6d per diem for ever was Erected and Founded in ye year 1664 at the sole charge of WILLIAM BARKER of Hurst in the county of Wilts. Esq, who died on ye 25th March, 1685 and lyes buried in... this parish". Henry Fairfax Esq. His Newphew and Heire (sic) M.P."
In Twyford we find the Harrison Almshouses, prominently situated on the A4 London Road. They were founded in 1640. Almshouses were built by Sir Richard Harrison in 1640, for six poor people of either sex. They were not endowed until 1700 when his granddaughter, Lady Francis Winchcombe, gave the rents from a house and 80 acres of land. Each person was to receive 40 shillings annually and a gown every other year.
Not far away on the outskirts of Wokingham in Holme Green is the Lucas Hospital, founded in 1665.
The Lucas Hospital was founded by Henry Lucas Esq. In his will dated 1663 he requested that his executors establish an almshouse for poor, elderly men who were inhabitants of Windsor Forest. By early 1667 a master was installed and the first 16 residents “of not less than 50 years of age, of sober life and conversation, poor and impotent by sickness or other infirmity” were given a furnished room, a £2 fuel
allowance and a pension of £10 per annum.
In 1675 the Drapers Company took over the trusteeship of the charity. The Henry Lucas Charity was perpetuated until 2001, when the Charity Commission allowed the building to be sold for use as a private residence. Lucas Hospital is Wokingham’s only Grade 1 listed building.
In Maidenhead, on the London Road, there are the James Smyth Almshouses, founded in 1659. James was a Citizen and Salter of London. The plaque over the main door gives a full picture. It was established in 1661 to house “eight poor ancient men and their wives, inhabitants of Maidenhead or Cookham, each of them to be 50 years at least."
A little further along the road is the Haven of Rest Almshouse which was built in 1895. The central gable is a very effective decoration.
Maidenhead's third Almshouse is the small All Saints Almshouse in Boyn Hill Road, now a private dwelling. It was funded by donations by the Misses Lamotte and G E Street (the architect of the nearby church).
Continuing eastwards we reach the Windsor Almshouses, Victoria Street, Windsor. It is now known as Ellison House.
This picture above shows the original Almshouses which were founded in 1787 and renovated 1969-70. The details are to be found on the three plaques. Additional Almshouses were built in 1970 between the old almshouses and the road. They are also also single storey, but much less picturesque in style.
First are the Sir John Kedermister's Almshouses, above, founded in 1617.
To the right are the Sir Edward Seymour's Almshouses. These Almshouses are a little later: 1679-88. Sir Edward was the Speaker at the time.
Note: I believe this is a full set of Almshouses in East Berkshire. Additional information or errors to be corrected would be most welcome. Wikipedia mentions Almshouses founded in 1839 by William Wild in Horsemoor Green, but I can find no trace of them.
Almshouses of West Berkshire (excluding Newbury, which has its own page already published) will follow shortly.
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