Lowewood Museum
The Monson Almshouses

The Monson Almshouses

Created 21 June, 2008

The Broxbourne Almshouses, built and endowed by Lady Laetitia Monson in 1728.One of the most interesting buildings in the High Road is the Monson Almshouses. They were erected in 1728 in accordance to the will of Dame Laetitia Monson, who also endowed them with a thousand pounds. Over the doorway of the building, which is a plain but typical example of the architecture of the period, is a shield bearing the coat of arms of the Monsons and Pouletts. Below this is the inscription "This building is erected at the sole charge of Dame Laetitia Monson, relict of Sir William Monson Bart., and was daughter of John, Lord Poulett of Hinton St. George in the county of Somerset, which gift is for the relief and benefitt of poor widows of the parish of Broxbourne in Hartfordshire in the year of the Lord 1728."

Each widow was to receive a weekly allowance of 20d., a yearly sum of 20s. for firing, and 15s. to employ them in spinning and for a gown once in two years. Before admission each widow was to receive the sacrament in the Parish Church. The schoolmaster was to receive 26s. for reading the Psalms, Lessons, etc., while 5s. yearly was to ber paid to the Vicar of Broxbourne "to buy him a pair of gloves for the care he was to take that the widows discharged their duties and deameaned themselves as they ought to do." The scheme was re-settled by the Charity Commissioners in 1887.

Last updated: 19 July, 2008