Monument record 10037 - Smith’s Almshouse and Hospital of St Ursula, Commonhall Street

An almshouse was established following a bequeath by Roger Smith in 1508, originally intended to be based at an existing house in Commonhall Lane, the executors of the estate (Sir Thomas Smith, brother of Roger) instead built six new almshouses on a site nearby the following year.

In 1510 the almshouse was converted into a chantry and hospital for the adjacent St Ursula’s fraternity and guild until the dissolution of the monasteries. The hospital, now supported by the fraternity of St Ursula was licensed to acquire land worth 40 marks per annum to maintain the poor and infirm and to maintain the hospital. The hospital received a few endowments 1511-1539 including references to possessions outside precinct in 1534, when rental of city mentions yard in Cow Lane rented by fraternity of St Ursula.

By 1547 the building had reverted to an almshouse and remained as such throughout the post medieval period. In 1702, heir of Sir Thomas Smith handed over almshouses to trustees & paid £180 to mayor to ensure continuance of chantry. Early 19th century the almshouses consisted of 6 separate apartments tenanted by widows of freemen, however with no funds for maintenance the almshouse fell into disrepair and it was eventually demolished in 1871. (1 & 2)

Plan & illustration show row of 5 timber framed almshouses fronting onto Commonhall St. 3 are single cell plan & 1 double cell. All have jettied windows to upper & lower floors. Between these 4 & remaining house (of double cell plan in gable end is passage through to adjoining chapel/Common Hall & yard at rear (3).

<1> Bennett. J.H.E., 1938, The Hospital and Chantry of St Ursula the Virgin of Chester (Article in Journal). SCH5697.

<2> Harris, B E (ed), 1980, A History of the County of Chester: Volume III, p183-184 (Book). SCH6524.

<3> Douglas J, 1872-5, The Abbey Square Sketch Book, 1/No.41 1872 (Book). SCH3014.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ46NW48/1964 (Index). SCH2487.

<5> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, Ormerod G 1882 1/354 & 367 (Book). SCH1389.

<6> Gastrell F, 1845-1850, Notitia Cestriensis, or historical notices of the diocese of Chester, Gastrell F 1845/123-124 (Article in Journal). SCH2290.

<7> Knowles, D & Hadcock, RN, 1953, Medieval Religious Houses: England and Wales, /263 (Book). SCH2177.

<8> Clay R M, 1910, Medieval Hospitals of England, /282 (Monograph). SCH2155.

<9> Lewis C.P & Thacker A.T. (eds), 2005, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume Vii, The City of Chester - The City of Chester, Culture, Buildings, Institutions, p59-60 (Book). SCH6522.

<10> Simpson F, 1914, The City Gilds of Chester: The Smiths, Cutlers and Plumber’s Company (Article in Journal). SCH5651.