11. 188. 4d. half yearly towards their maintenance, paid by the feoffees of Mr. Alderman Agar, the founder, out of land which now forms part of the estate of Lord Middleton. Of Barstow's Hospital, in the suburbs of York, little is known with certainty, except that it consists of six miserable cottages, appropriated to persons of both sexes, who each receive about forty shillingsa-year, The donation, it is said, was given about a hundred years ago, and the donors are supposed to have been two maiden sisters, of the name of Barstow. The Spital, (a contraction for hospital of St. Catharine, is situated near the Mount, at the entrance to the city. This was anciently a house of entertainment for poor travellers or pilgrims, who could not afford to pay for lodgings in the town. Buildings of this kind were usually placed, extramuros, on the side of the highway, and this was a Xenodo chium of that kind. In Drake's time it was kept up, and repaired at the city's expense, as a habitation for poor widows, though it was then hardly deserving of the name of a charity; but we collect from Hargrove's History, that by the successive donations of various benefactors within the last century, it now affords residences for four ancient widows, each of whom derives an income from the charity, amounting to 182. 3s. per annum. Colton's Hospital, is situated in Taniner row, and derives its name from the -founders, Dr. Colton, and Mary his wife by whom it was provided, in the year 1717, for the occupation of "eight poor women." At present, the funds which are produced from lands at Cawood and Thorp Willoughby, yield to each of the eight inmates about six pounds a-year. Ingham's Hospital was founded by Sir Arthur Ingham, a senior Alderman of York, in the year 1640, and endowed with five pounds a-year for each of the ten poor women, its inmates, who have also a new gown every two years. The endowment also provides, twenty nobles for an honest able man to read prayers in the chapel," payable out of certain lands at Sheriff - Hutton. The buildings forming this hospital are situated in Bootham, and consist of ten cottages, of two rooms each, with a chapel in the centre. The badge of these widows is, a silver cock gilt, the crest of the Irvin family, of Temple Newsam, of which family Sir Arthur was the founder. The patronage of this hospital is now in the Dowager Marchioness of Hertford, the eldest daughter of the late Lord Irvin, and one of the lineal descendants of Sir Arthur. St. Leonard's Hospital is an ancient foundation, which existed before the conquest, and when in the meridian of its usefulness, supported thirteen brethren, four secular priests, eight sisters, thirty choristers, two schoolmasters, twenty-six bead men, and six servitors; but by the consent of the brotherhood, it was surrendered in the 31st year of Henry VIII. and the revenue, amounting to 36%. 118. 1 d. placed at the disposal of the king. The Spital of St. Loy, like that of St. Catherine, was built for the accommodation of poor travellers and pilgrims, in Catholie times; it stood on the East side of the Monk bridge, but not a vestage of it now remains, Maison Dieu was founded in White Friar's lane, Layerthorpe, by Edward IV. whence it is natural to infer, that there must anciently have been here a monastery of White Friars also, from which the name has arisen. But on this subject, we can only conjecture; as there are no remains of either building, and even the name of the lane ite self is now no longer retained. Mason's Hospital, in Colliergate, was founded by a widow of that name, in 1732, for the use of six poor widows, who have an annual income from the original benefactress of one pound a-year, and from the bene volent Countess of Conyngham, of fifty shillings, producing to each of them yearly, three pounds ten shillings, Middleton's Hospital, in Skeldergate, is a monument of the piety and benevolence of Dame Ann Middleton, who bestowed by will two thousand pounds for its erection and endowment. In this hospital, twenty widows of poor freemen in York, have dwellings, with an income of five pounds sixteen shillings a-year each; three pounds sixteen shillings of which is derived from the funds of the original benefactress, and two pounds from an augmentation bequeathed by Thomas Norfolk, gent. A full length effigy of Dame Middleton is placed in a niche, over the front entrance, with an inscrip tion, partly obliterated, enumerating her charities. A little beyond Bootham row, and nearly opposite to Marygate, is an alms-house that few ladies in the early part of life would claim as their inheritance, called "The Old Maids' Hospital." The founder of this institution was Mrs. Mary Wandesford, of the city of York, spinster, who by will dated the 4th of Nov. 1725, bequeathed an estate at Brumpton-upon-Swale, near Richmond, with a mortgage of 1200l. and 1200l. South-Sea stoek in trust, "for the use and benefit of ten poor gentlewomen, who were never married," members of the established church. "who shall retire from the hurry and noise of the world into a house of protestant retirement, with 107. per annum to a reader. Since this time the funds of the Old Maids' Hospital, have been considerably augmented by other bequests, and each of the inmates now receives 161. 17s. 4d. annually, which Mr. Hargrove, from whom we quote, and who has displayed a very laudable zeal in investigating the affairs of the charities of York, intimates should be still further increased from the improved value of land within a period of nearly a hundred years. The Maiden Testator, does not in her will fix at what time of life ladies may become candidates for this charity, but the Court of Chancery, by a decree of the date of 1739, has fixed the age at fifty years. The present steward of this establishment is Mr. John Mills, with a salary of 67. a-year, and the Rev. W. Bulmer, with a stipend of 15d. annually, is the reader or chaplain. Every Wednesday and Friday morning at eleven o'clock, duty is performed in the chapel. come to upwards of 67. by leaving 25. a-year to be divided in equal parts among them. Near Merchants' Hall, in Fosgate, stands an ancient Spital, called Trinity Hospital, founded in 1373, by John de Rawcliff, and endowed with lands worth 10l. a-year for the sustentation of a priest or master, and for the brethren and sisters of the same. The priest was to pray for the founder, and for the king, as well as for all christian souls, and to pay weekly to thirteen poor folks and to two poor scholars resident in the hospital, four-pence in silver each. In the 3rd of Edward VI. this hospital was dissolved, and the land was given to the king; but the hospital and chapel were kept standing, and the Merchants' Company of this city perpetuated the charity by their liberality, and at present ten poor persons-five of each sex, live in the house, and receive a stipend of 51. each per annum. The Hospital of Sir Robert Watter, Knight, twice Lord Mayor of York, is situated in Neutgate-lane. Sir Robert, by his Without Micklegate bar, at the prin will proved June 15, 1612, appointed that a cipal entrance to the city on the left, is an hospital should be erected out of his houses antique stone building, called St. Thomas' in Nowtgate, which should be for the Hospital, erected for the fraternity of Corpus perpetual maintenance of ten persons; to Christi, incorporated by letters patent, the consist of a governor or reader with 3. per 6th of November, in the 37th of Henry VI. annum, and certain brothers and sisters, to This hospital was originally instituted for a each of whom 27. per annum, was to be master and six priests, who were bound to allowed out of the lordship of Cundale. From keep a solemn procession every year, on the some cause not explained, this charity has Friday after Corpus Christi day, and the day been suffered to deteriorate: the number of after to have a solemn mass or dirge, to pray dwellings is only seven, and instead of ten for the prosperity of brothers and sisters there are only seven inmates; the reader, proliving, and for the souls departed; and fur- bably from the smallness of the stipend, does ther to keep yearly ten poor folks, having not exist, and only 142. is paid to the inevery of them towards their living 31. 63. 8d. stitution, instead of twenty guineas annually. a-year, with a further provision that they In St. Dennis Church-lane, stands an should find eight beds for poor people being | alms-house, founded, as is supposed, by the Company of Cordwainers, and intended as an asylum for poor aged and decayed persons of that craft. This building had anciently a cupola and bell, which was tolled on the death of any of its members, and from the religious services performed in the hospital, it obtained the name of "The Maison Dieu or the House of God. The Cordwainers Company, after existing for several centuries, certainly not less than four, was dissolved in the year 1808, parliament having in that year repealed the act, on which they grounded their right to regulate the markets and their trade in general. On the dissolution of the Company, the entire patronage of the Maison Dieu, with the archieves of the fraternity were transferred to Mr. Hornby, of York, one of the principal members, and by the liberality of that gentleman, the hospital, which had sunk into a state of dilapidation, strangers. In addition to this hospitality, the fraternity found entertainment of another kind for the citizens, and once in every year, namely, on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, they performed the play of Corpus Christi, in aid of which, every trade in the city was obliged to furnish a pageant. At that time the building was far more extensive than at present; but in the time of Henry VIII. it felt the shock of all other similar institutions, and in 1683, it was inhabited only by ten poor widows, to whom mendicity afforded the means of subsistence. In 1787, the hospital underwent considerable alterations and improvements, and the number of inmates were increased to twelve. In the year 1791, Mr. Luntley, a glover in Blakestreet, left by will 1000%. to this institution, the interest of which, yields nearly four guineas per annum to each of the inhabitants, and Lady Conyngham, augmented their in- I was taken down and re-built at his own cost. This hospital now consists of four comfortable dwellings, appropriated to the use of as many decayed shoe-makers, who pay to their benefactor an annual acknowledgment of one penny. This establishment presents a favourable field for the exercise of benevolence, and we venture to recommend that some charitable person should endow it with a small | - portion of land, from the rents whereof the successive inmates of the Maison Dieu, who are now nearly destitute of income, may through all time have the evening of their days brightened by a humble competency. The law of Mortmain has wisely kept the endowment of hospitals and religious houses within very moderate limits; and in more modern times the legislaturef has instituted a security against death-bed charitable bequests, by providing that no lands or tenements shall be given for, or charged with, any charitable use whatsoever, unless by deed indented, executed in the presence of two witnesses twelve calendar months before the death of the donor, and enrolled in the Court of Chancery within six months after its execution, and unless such gift be made to take effect immediately, and be without power of revocation. Winterskelf's Hospital, nearly opposite St. Margaret's Church, in Walmgate, was founded by Perceval Winterskelf, gentleman, early in the last century, and forms accommodation for six poor aged persons, who enjoy a revenue of from 71. to 8. a year. The ladies of York have contributed essentially to swell the number of the public eharities of this city, and their benevolence has in several instances embraced more than one institution. In addition to the names of pious memory already enumerated, Mrs. Wright, Dame Hewley, Mrs. Wilson, and Lady Conyngham's, remain to be mentioned: Mrs. Jane Wright, of the city of London, widow, left by will, in 1675, 1000%. in money, with the residue of her property, amounting to about 550%. more, to be devoted to the purpose of placing out as apprentices, as many poor boys and giris, who are natives and inhabitants of "the parish of Goodramgate, near the Minster, in the city of York, being the parish, as she says, in which I was born," as the minister, churchwardens, and vestry-men of the said parish may think proper the residue of the income, if any, to be applied to the relief of poor widows and housekeepers in the parish, and to the assistance of the apprentices at the expiration of their apprenticeships, in commencing business. The trustees very judiciously ex + By the act 9th George H. c. 36. pended the sum which they realized, in the purchase of a house in Goodramgate, and lands in Rufforth and Water Poppleton, which now together yield for the purpose of the charity 3637. a year, and which sum is distributed half-yearly, according to the will of the testatrix. By a decision of the Court of Chancery, two-thirds of this ample income is distributed in the parish of St. Trinity, and one-third in the parish of St. John del Pyke. Lady Hewley's charities comprehend an hospital and a liberal annual contribution towards "teaching the children of the poor to read and write." The hospital is a neat briek building, situated in Tanner Row, in which ten poor women, of the Unitarian persuasion, find a comfortable asylum.. Originally, the annual stipend was only 67. each, but from the nature of the property, under the provident management of the trus tees, it is now swelled to 151. a year, which is paid in monthly instalments by the Rev. Charles Wellbeloved. In 1708, Dame Sarah Hewley," as she is styled, paid into the Exchequer 1000%, thereby purchasing an annuity of 62/. 10s. for ninety-nine years, to be applied to the purpose of teaching the children of the poor to read and write." For thirteen years; namely, between 1780 and 1793, the payment of the annuities was suspended for want of new trustees to fill the places of those who were deceased: but, by the zeal and publie spirit of Robert Driffield, Esq. the payment of the annuity was resumed, and the arrears refunded, the effect of which has been, that the capitał stock is swelled to 1650/. four per cents. and that fund is rendered permanent, which would have expired in the year 1807. The annual income from this stock is now devolved, in compliance with the will of the testatrix, to the support of free sehools, in York and its vicinity, at the discretion of the trustees, John Rawden, Esq., the Rev. Charles Wellbeloved, and George Palmes, Esq. Wilson's Hospital, situated at Fossbridge, was founded in 1717, by Mrs. Dorothy Wilson, spinster, for the reception of ten poor women, each of whom has a room to herself, and for their maintenance the donor left certain lands at Skipwith and NunMonkton, from which each of them receives 151. per annum. The same lands were also * Dame Hewley, (whose maiden name was Wolridge) when a spinster, was a ward in chancery, and tradition says, we believe truly, that she eloped with Mr., afterwards Sir John Hewley, upon a matrimonial expe dition, she riding before and he behind, on the same horse, thinking thereby to protect her intended husband from the censure of the Lord Chancellor, by alleging, that she ran away with him, and not the with hert. made subject to the following payments :Twenty pounds per annum to a schoolmaster for teaching twenty boys, and reading prayers twice a day to them, and to the hospitalers. The boys are also to be provided with new clothes annually, and 67. a year appropriated to placing three of them out as apprentices. The yearly sum of 27. each is applied to three blind people; and the same sum to a schoolmistress for teaching six children in the parish of Dennis to read. Owing to the increased value of the estate, the allowance to the inmates of the hospital has advanced from 61. 10s. to 151. per annum each: the schoolmaster's salary has advanced from 207. to 301. and the schoolmistress's stipend is doubled. The property is vested in seven trustees, none of whom are to be aldermen of the city! The hospital has been twice taken down and re-built, the first time in 1765, and the latter in 1812, and it now forms a neat brick building of modern appearance, very convenient to the inmates, and rather ornamental than otherwise, to the part of the town in which it stands, : purposes nearly 20,000/. stock, to be distributed either in York, or by persons in high situations, resident in or connected with this city. Mr. John Allen having acquired a mo- Coat Girls' School.......300. 40%. sooner than hitherto...........2007. And a sum for the erection or endowment of a hospital, which amounts to about 140%. a year, from which fund twelve poor old men receive each 122. annually, towards their support and house rent. The hospitals in this city, for affording medical aid to the indigent, are-The County Hospital, the Dispensary, the Lunatic Asylum, and the Retreat. The County, Hospital is situated in Monkgate, and owes its origin to the benevolent Lady Hastings, who, in the year 1740, bequeathed a legacy of 500l. for the relief of the diseased poor in the county of York, which fund being augmented by other contributions, the present edifice was soon after erected. Every person who is a benefactor of 20%. or a subscriber of two guineas annually, is a governor of this institution, and intitled to recommend one out or one inpatient at a time; a subscriber of three guineas annually may recommend one out and one in-patient at a time; and an annual subscription of a guinea intitles the subscriber to recommend one out-patient, and no more. Since the commencement of this establishment, on the 4th of April, 1740, to May 1st, 1822, 45,650 patients have been admitted, of whom 31,313 have been discharged cured, and 9,320 relieved. It is much to be lamented, that owing to the inadequacy of the funds, one of the large wards of this excel. lent institution has been entirely elosed for some years, a circumstance the more to be regretted, since, with the exception of the Hull Infirmary, this is the only charity of the kind for the North and East Ridings, and for the county of the city of YorkThe Cow-pox inoculation is performed here gratuitously every Tuesday and Saturday mornings, from ten to eleven o'clock; and two fever wards have lately been erected in the garden of the hospital, by a separate fund raised for the purpose. The officers of the County Hospital are-William Gray, Amongst the most munificent of the benefactors to the city of York, may be placed the Right Honourable Ellen Countess Dowager Conyngham, who, by will dated 13th of August, 1814, bequeathed the sum of 8000%. in 3 per cents. consolidated Bank Annuities, for the purpose of paying certain annuities to her servants out of the dividends, but as the said annuitants died, to be paid in annuities of 20l. each, to poor indigent and distressed widows of poor deceased clergymen of, or who reside in the county of York. The same lady bequeathed the sum of 66667. 13s. 4d. of 3 per cent, reduced Bank Annuities, the dividends therefrom to be distributed to ten poor clergymen, who should respectively be in the possession of only one living, under the yearly value of 100%. which living is to be situated in the county of York: the archbishop, dean, and recorder for the time being, to elect both to this and the foregoing charity. The executors to her ladyship, are also ordered to transfer 2000%. of 3 per cent. consolidated Bank Annuities, and to distribute the annual dividends thereof in annuities of 107. each, to six poor indigent widows or unmarried women, being fifty years of age or upwards, residing in York, and not respectively possessed of 50%. a year, to be elected by the trustees. Her ladyship also left 3000l. of 3 per cent. Old South Sea Annuities, to appropriate the dividends thus-To St. Thomas Hospital, near Micklegate bar, twenty-five pounds; to St. Catherines', ten pounds; o Middleton's, forty pounds; and to Mason's, fifteen pounds, From all which it appears, that this lady applied to charitable | Esq. treasurer: Dr. Lawson and Dr. Wake, physicians; Mr. James Atkinson and Mr. George Champney, surgeons; the Rev. James Richardson, chaplain; Mr. Hewley Graham, steward and secretary; and Mr. Ward, apothecary. The house is visited by two gentlemen among the contributors resident in York, and, by a late regulation, the Female wards are visited by ladies. The Dispensary is a small building, situated in St. Andrewgate, of the same nature as the County Hospital, though unconnected with it. Its objects are to dispence gratuitously advice, medicine, and surgical assistance, to those who are unable to pay for them. This establishment, which was opened on the 28th of March, 1788, has continued to flourish through a period of four and thirty years, and has, out of 42,488 patients, effected cures upon 28,851 of them. The expense of this establish ment last year amounted to 433/. and the number of patients admitted and remaining on the books was 2054, exclusive of 648 children inoculated without cost for the Cow-pox. The officers are Dr. Beckwith Dr. Wake, and Dr. Goldie, physicians; Mr. Atkinson, Mr. Drake, and Mr. E. Wallis, surgeons; Mr. Allen, treasurer; and Mr. Wilson, apothecary. before the flames could be extinguished, The Lunatic Asylum, out of Bootham Bar, was built by general subscription, in 1774, from a plan prepared by Mr. Alderman Carr, and the building, as an edifice, is worthy of the architect. The original object of this insititution was to provide an asylum for pauper lunatics, or such as belonged to indigent families. The plan subsequently underwent a change, and it was then determined to admit opulent patients, upon the plea that the profits from the payments of the rich would contribute to the support of the poor. This change led to enormous abuse, continued through a long series of years, and it required the benevolent interference of Mr. S. Tuke, and the intrepid and persevering scrutiny of Godfrey Higgins, Esq. to clean this Augean stable, and to restore the institution to its original benevolent purpose. These salutary reforms were commenced in 1813. While the investigations were proceeding, one wing of the asylum was discovered to be on fire, and * Medical and chirurgical attendance are given every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, at eleven o'clock, and medicines dispensed gratis to all proper objects, re. commended by an annual subscriber of half-a-guinea or upwards, or by a donator of ten guineas or upwards. Patients incapable of attending in person are visited at their own houses. + The hour of attendance for vaccination is Tuesday morning, between nine and ten o'clock. The There is, at the distance of about a mile from York, near the delightful village of Heslington, an establishment called the "Retreat, for persons afflicted with disor"ders of the mind," founded in the year 1796, by the Society of Friends, popularly called Quakers. This establishment owes its origin to the severe treatment and death of a quaker lunatic patient in another asylum, and adds another to the multitude of instances, which are daily occurring, where good arises out of evil. The venerable William Tuke was the projector of "the Retreat," and his efforts were seconded and essentially aided by Mr. Lindley Murray, the distinguished English Grammarian of the present age. The structure consists of a centre and four wings, to which was added, + The spirit which actuates this gentleman may be discovered from a work, recently writtten by him, entitled, "Lectures on the Temper and Spirit of the Christian Religion." |