William Portman Almshouses

Almshouse in Staple Fitzpaine, Somerset

50°57′33″N 3°02′57″W / 50.9593°N 3.0493°W / 50.9593; -3.0493Built1643
Listed Building – Grade II*
Official nameAlmshousesDesignated25 February 1955[1]Reference no.1060273

The William Portman Almshouses in Staple Fitzpaine, Somerset, England was built in 1643. It is a Grade II* listed building.[1]

History

The almshouses were established by Sir William Portman in 1643 to provide housing for six poor people.[2] In April 1640, Portman was elected Member of Parliament for Taunton for the Short Parliament. He was re-elected for Taunton in November 1640 for the Long Parliament where he sat until February 1644 when he was disabled for supporting the Royalists[3] He gave £40 per year from his Orchard Portman estate for the six "poor persons" dwelling in the almshouse.[4]

The historical records of the almshouses are held by the South West Heritage Trust.[5]

The building was restored in the 1970s when some of the windows were replaced and a new staircase added.[6] It is still run as a charity providing housing.[7]

Architecture

The building is of Blue Lias with hamstone dressings and a slate roof.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Almshouses". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  2. ^ "Almshouses, Staple Fitzpaine, Somerset". Historic England. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  3. ^ Willis, Browne (1750). Notitia Parliamentaria, Part II: A Series or Lists of the Representatives in the several Parliaments held from the Reformation 1541, to the Restoration 1660 ... London. pp. 229–239.
  4. ^ Sixsmith, Rosemary Aileen (1958). Staple Fitzpaine and the forest of Neroche. p. 45.
  5. ^ "Sir William Portman Almshouse, Staple Fitzpaine". National ASrchives. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  6. ^ "Amshouses". historicengland.org.uk. Historic England.
  7. ^ "William Portman Almshouses". Charity Commission. Retrieved 26 August 2017.