Notes on the hospital of St. Bartholomew, Rochester.

Date:
[1896?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Notes on the hospital of St. Bartholomew, Rochester. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    “ I considered in ye next place ye very scandalous condition in which a sacred chappie belonging to ye said hospital had long been in. This little chappie was doubtless built by ye said Bishop Gondulphus; founder of ye said hospital. But I found it partitioned into tene¬ ments upon 21 years leases, I suppose by the assignees of Lord Doncaster. I resolved to buy out ye lease or ye leases of ye said chappie, and did so at an extravagant rate. I have pulled down ye partitions, repaired ye said chappie, new floored it, furnished it with a pulpit and desk, and have sent thither a stone font likewise ; if ye ministers of Chatham and St. Margaret’s will think it a convenience for them to make use of, their respective churches being at a great distance, and our situation being very populous. I design likewise, God willing, to furnish ye said chappie with altar table, books, seats, and other necessarys at ye sole charge of ye patron and governor. Your Lordship will believe it was not last in my thoughts how this Chappie should be supplied by a well-qualified Chaplain without cost or detriment to the present subsisting two brethren, and so as my Lord Bishop of Rochester might approve and commend. Of which I shall give your Lordship a more particular account hereafter.” a.d.1735. Same brief, p. 22. William Walter, Esquire, of Chatham, purchased the lease of two messuages and gardens “ to the intent to lay one of the said messuages into St. Bartholomew’s Chapel, and to enlarge and fit up the same for the accommodation of the inhabitants of Chatham resorting thither to hear Divine Service.” The other premises to be jet, the rent to go for repairs, and the surplus to such pious uses in respect of the enlargement or ornament of the Chapel as the Dean and his successors should appoint. William Walter’s deed These tenements are described as standing “ on part of the ground where sometime the Chappell or part thereof formerly stood.” a.d. 1743. “The piscina was fixed in the N. Wall by Mr. Walter, and Traveller’s marks the'boundary of the houses purchased by him,” and added to Companion,p. u i 184. Ed. 1794. ne cnapei. Three