William Portman Almshouses
| William Portman Almshouses | |
|---|---|
  Location of William Portman Almshouses in Somerset | |
| Location | Staple Fitzpaine, Somerset, England |
| Coordinates | 50°57′33″N 3°02′57″W / 50.9593°N 3.0493°W |
| Built | 1643 |
Listed Building – Grade II* | |
| Official name | Almshouses |
| Designated | 25 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[edit]
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[edit]
The building is of Blue Lias with hamstone dressings and a slate roof.[1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c "Almshouses". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- ^ "Almshouses, Staple Fitzpaine, Somerset". Historic England. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Sixsmith, Rosemary Aileen (1958). Staple Fitzpaine and the forest of Neroche. p. 45.
- ^ "Sir William Portman Almshouse, Staple Fitzpaine". National ASrchives. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- ^ "Amshouses". historicengland.org.uk. Historic England.
- ^ "William Portman Almshouses". Charity Commission. Retrieved 26 August 2017.