Extract from White's Leicester and Rutland Directory 1877

MELTON COUNTY COURT is held once a month in the Corn Exchange; Francis Barrow, Esq., is judge ; Frederick J. Oldham, Esq., registrar; and Mr. John Marshall, high bailiff. The district comprises the parishes, &c., in the table at page 543. The bankruptcy business has been transferred to Leicester.
PETTY SESSIONS are held in the Corn Exchange every alternate Tuesday; and the magistrates usually acting for this division are Earl Lonsdale and Charles Henry Frewer, E. B. Hartopp, E. H. Cheney, George Norman, W. A. Pochin, E. A. Paget, H. C. Woodcock, R. Whitchurch, T. W. Clagett, and G. W. Pochin, Esqrs. ; F. J. Oldham, Esq., is their clerk. There is a small police station in King street, built in 1843, in connection with the county constabulary force. Mr. William Goodman is the superintendent, and there are three sergeants and seven constables in the district. A new police court and station are about to be erected, at an estimated cost of about £3670.

THE PARISH CHURCH (St. Mary), which is the largest and finest in the county, exhibits various styles of architecture, and is peculiar in its symmetrical proportions. It has of late years undergone very considerable renovation, and an efffort is now being made for its complete restoration, under the able superintendence of Sir G. G. Scott, R. A. The repairs up to the present time include the securing of the tower and staircase in their present position, the new roofing of the south aisle, the aisles of the transepts and the chancel; the lowering of the floor; the restoration of the vestry to its original state; the removing of the wooden partition, which kept out of sight the dilapidated portions of the columns, walls, and arches; the reparation of the south side of the church, and the restoration of the parapet; the warming and lighting of the church, removing of the galleries, and various expenses required for the accommodation of the congregation. These improvements have been carried out at an expense of £6690. The works yet to be effected include the repairing of the upper part of the tower; the raising of the staircase turret, and of the pinnacles of the west porch. It is a cruciform structure, consisting of nave, aisles, transepts, chancel, tower in the centre containing eight bells, and a handsome torch at the west end. The latter is a peculiar feature in the building, and has elegant doorway with two windows on each side, two ornamental windows, and four singular openings in the walls, called lychnoscopes, which have been glazed, but which formerly had gratings and shutters. Above this porch is the large western window, consisting of five lights, with four lofty mullions, and some decorated tracery. This window was in 1850 filled with stained glaas by Wailes, at the cost of Edward H. M. Ciake, Esq. Over the aisles is a continued, and almost connected, series of clerestory windows, of three lights each said to have been inserted in the reign of Elizabeth, when the church was heightened. The whole church crowned with an embattled parapet, and at each angle is a crocheted pinnacle. The tower consists of two storeys above the church, of good proportion, and handsome architecture. In the lower storey are three lancet-shaped windows in each face, with long slender columns, having central bands, and plain circular capitals. In these windows the zigzag ornament prevails; and at the angles of the tower are three quarter columns. The upper storey is of a different and later style of architecture, dating about 1500, and the summit is adorned with eight purfled pinnacles, and a richly perforated and embattled ballustrade. At the north-east angle is a circular staircase, projecting beyond the square of the tower. The nave is divided from the aisles by six high pointed arches on each side, springing from four clustered columns; and the trana. have aisles, arches with columns, &c.; the transepts measure 117 feet in length, by 38 feet in breadth; from the western door to the chancel is 113 feet ; the chancel is 51 feet long, by 21 feet in width; and the nave is 56 feet wide. Leland calls it 'a faire paroche church. sumtime an hospital and cell to Lewis in Sussex' On the north side of the chancel is an embattled vestry, with the date of 1532 over its eastern window. Among the monumental inscriptions is one to Robert Hudson, Esq., citizen of London, who was born here 1578, and founded the hospital adjoining to the church in 1640, Several others of the Hudson family were interred here. In the south aisle is an effigy of a cross-legged knight, in a round helmet of mail, with a band, his shield on his left arm, bearing a lion rampant. Over him, in modern characters, 'This is the Lord Hamon Beler, brother to the Lord Mowbray.' In the south transept is a large tomb of Purbeck marble, but it has been robbed of its brasses. Not far from it is an alabaster tomb with the recumbent effigy of a lady, her head supported by two angels, and two dogs at play at her feet. It is not certainly known who is intended to be represented by it, but it is generally ascribed to the widow of Robert de Burges, who held lands here in the time of Richard II. A new east window has been inserted at a cost of about £100, and filled with stained glass by Wailes, at the expense of the late Robert Day, Esq., M.D., of Wymondham. This beautiful window represents the parables of the Sower, the Pearl of Great Price, the Good Fish and the Bad, the Pharisee and Publican, and the Good Shepherd ; also the Prodigal Son, and the Good Samaritan, each of the latter two occupying five compartments. At the west end of the south aisle is a curious old window, filled with coloured glass or scrap work by the late Dr. Ford; this has been completed and arranged by W. Wailes, Esq., of Newcastle-on-Tyne. In the south transept is a window filled with stained glass by Hardinan, of Birmingham, in memory of the wife of the late John Keal, Esq., M.D., of Melton; it contains large figures of St. Luke, St. Paul, St. James, and St. John. The large window in the south transept represents the life of St. Paul, in ten compartments. In the east aisle of the north transept, which is used as a baptistry, a window has been enriched with stained glass representing the history of Dorcas in four cartoons, erected chiefly by the poor parishioners in memory of the late Lady Elizabeth Isabella Norton. The very fine window in the north aisle of the nave, portraying 'The Lifting up of the Serpent in the Wilderness,'was inserted in memory of the late T. Frewen, Esq., of Brickwall, Sussex, by his widow and children. The large window was filled with stained glass in memory of the late Mr. T. Ward, by Wailes, of Newcastle, and represents the history of Moses. The large west window was enriched with syained glass by E. H. M. Clarke, Esq., in memory of the Major, Stokes, and Clarke families. The font was given by the late Lady E. Norman, as a memorial of Richard Norman, Esq. There is a head of St. Bartholomew.
The organ is a fine powerful instrument, built by Gray in 1832, and recently re-constructed by Bell Son, of London. The living is a vicarage, with Freeby and Welby chapelries and Burton Lazars and Sysonby curacies annexed, valued in K.B. at £16 9s., and now at £580 per annum. The tithes were commuted at the enclosure in 1740. Edward Frewen, Esq., is patron, and the Rev. 'Wm. Morris Colles, D.D., vicar, who has raised and expended upon the church during the last 25 years the sum of £7000.
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHAPEL, in Sherrard Street, was built in 1842, from a design by Pugin, and will seat 200 hearers. The large east window is filled with beautiful stained glass, representing our Saviour, with the two principal benefactors to the building kneeling at his feet. The altar and baptismal font are of exquisite workmanship. THE BAPTISTS erected, in 1872, a handsome chapel in the Italian style in Nottingham Street at a cost of £2200, raised by subscription, of which the Rev. C. H. Spurgeon gave £150; there are 400 sittings; the Rev. Joseph Tansley is the minister. THE WESLEYAN CHAPEL, in Sagecross Street, was built, in 1870-1, at an outlay of £3100, on the site of the old one which was erected in 1808. It will seat 700 people, and is licensed for marriages. THE INDEPENDENT CHAPEL, in Chapel Street, was built, in 1822, at a cost of £2000, and is under the ministry of the Rev. Joseph Twidale. It contains an organ, purchased in 1857 for £120, and has accommodation for 600 people. The chapel is licensed for marriages, and there is burial-ground attached to the building. THE PRIMITIVE METHODISTS have a place of worship in Goodricke Street, which was built in 1835, at a cost of £640, and has 350 sittings. THE CALVINIST CHAPEL, on Timber Hill, is a small building, formerly used as an infant school. The Parish Churchyard being crowded with graves a large BURIAL-GROUND was formed in King Street, and consecrated October 3, 1845.

The FREE SCHOOLS occupy a large building in King street, erected about 1795 by the feoffees and town wardens, who support them out of the revenues of the Town Estate. There was a school here as early as 1347, In 1577 the school was for boys only, and was divided into the upper and lower portions: the former was called the Grammar School, and from it many a young man went direct to college. But about 1774 a change was introduced which materially altered the character of the school, and subsequently the Grammar School became merged into the ordinary parish schools. A school for girls was established in 1793, chiefly through the influence of the Rev. Dr. Ford, who about the same time opened a Sunday School. The Church Free Schools occupy the front of the building, and are attended by about 150 boys and 180 girls, the former being the upper and the latter in the lower room. The British Schools occupy the back part of the building and are attended by about 270 boys in the upper and 250 girls in the lower room. Both the schools are open to all the children of the parish of the age of six years and upwards, but children from the county pay 2d. each per week. An Infant School was built in 1853, at a cost of £370, on land given by W. Latham, Esq., in Little London, for the purpose of instructing young children before their being admitted into the Church Schools, who pay 11/2d. per week, unless there are two or more from one family, when they 1d. each. There is a good Library in connection with the Church School.

THE CORN EXCHANGE is a lofty and spacious room, which is occasionally let for concerts, lectures, &c. It belongs to a company of shareholders, and was opened in January, 1855. The room is used by the Rifle Volunteers as a drill hall. THE MARKET-PLACE is a small area, and the market, held every Tuesday, is well supplied with corn, and with all kinds of provisions. There is now a Cattle Market of about 3 acres between the Nottingham and Scalford roads, formed by the powers of an Act of Parliament obtained in 1868 and opened in September, 1870. There are six annual fairs for horses, cattle, &c., held on the Monday and Tuesday after January 17; second Tuesday in April; Whit-Tuesday; August 21; September 7; and October 24. That in Whitsun week is also a great pleasure fair.

THE FIRE ENGINE HOUSE is in Norman Street, and the keys are kept at the police station; Mr. Geo. Hall is the foreman. Parishes subscribing l0s. per annum are entitled to the free use of the engines in all cases of fire.

MELTON RIFLE CORPS was established in 1860, and is the 3rd Company of the Leicestershire Regiment. Its members have acquired considerable proficiency, and several of them have gained prizes in various rifle contests: Wm. Adcock, Esq., is captain; and L. L. Powell, Esq., lieutenant.

THE MECHANICS' INSTITUTE, which was established on May 1, 1845, was re-organised, and its name changed to the LITERARY INSTITUTE in 1864. The Library and Reading Room are in one of the front rooms of the Corn Exchange ; the table is well supplied with newspapers, and the Library contains about 1000 volumes. The Institute is in a prosperous condition, and its members number 130 persons, who pay 6s. each per annum: Mr. Griffey is secretary; and Mrs. Willis, librarian. The YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION have rooms at the Corn Exchange : Messrs. Petch and Jenner are the secretaries. In the town is a good Library and Reading Room. The TEMPERANCE HALL, in King Street, erected in 1869, at a cost of £800, will hold about 350 persons, and is let for meetings, concerts, &c. ; Mr. F. Hawley is secretary. The SAVINGS' BANK, in Nottingham Street, was opened in 1838, and its capital is about £58,000. It is open every Tuesday, from twelve to one, and every alternate Monday evening, from seven to eight o'clock. There are 2100 depositors, and about 50 Charitable and Friendly Societies. Mr. R. W. Johnson is the actuary. Here is also a Penny Savings' Bank.

TEE MEDICAL CLUB, and Provident Society for Melton Mowbray and the Neighbourhood, were established in 1841, and are subscribed to by patients of about 27 parishes, who, for trifling payments, are provided with medical and surgical aid. The Duke of Rutland is patron, and E. B. Hartopp, Esq., president of these useful institutions.

MELTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY was formed in 1867, and gives upwards of £100 in prizes annually Wm. Latham, Sq.. is president; and Mr. Joseph French, secretary. A Garden Allotment Society was formed here in 1846, and has a large plot of land near Sysonby, which is let to the poor on moderate terms.
The large room at Hudson's Bedehouse is now occupied by the MUSEUM and the PERMANENT LIBRARY. dormer contains a good collection of curiosities, including a number of Saxon remains found at Saxby Sysonby, as well as foreign birds, shells, &c.; and the latter comprises a valuable collection of books. The museum was opened in 1847, and in 1852 Mr. Woodcock bequeathed his books, shells, &c., to the museum, which he had lent before. The proprietors pay 1s. 6d. per year, and other gentlemen can. become members by the sanction of these proprietors on paying 5s. per annum.

In the town are several lodges of Oddfellows, Friendly Societies, &c.; a Temperance Society, and a Licensed Victuallers' Association.

HUDSON'S BEDEHOUSE, an ancient two-storey building, opposite the church, contains one large bedroom and 12 small bed rooms, and was founded in 1641 by Robert Hudson, who also left £4 14s. 6d. a year, out of the rectory of Melton, to be dispensed as follows :-20s. to the vicar, for a sermon on the Tuesday after Twelfth-day; 2s. 6d. to the clerk; 20s. for refreshments; and £2 12s. for a weekly distribution of 1s. worth of bread. For building the Almshouse for six poor aged men, he left £200, and for its endowment, a yearly rent-charge of £15 6s. 8d., out of the said rectory, to be applied as follows :-£2 3s. 4d. to each of the almspeople; 20s. for repairing the building; 16s. 8d. for a supper for the almspeople, and l0s. to one of them for reading prayers. A codicil to his will declares that he had built the almshouse, and, after revoking the bequest of £200, grants a further yearly sum of £3 out of the rectory, to buy coals for the almspeople., From 1745 to 1779 the endowment was augmented with £150, left by Mary Reeve, Anthony Wadd, and Mary Briggs. This sum, with £100 accumulations, was laid out in the purchase of £396 l6s. 6d. three per cent Consols. At the enclosure the Almshouse received, in lieu of commonwright, an allotment of 3A., in Orgar Lays. Mr. Ward, by will dated December 5, 1872, left £500 for the inmates of this institution. There are at present 12 inmates (5 men and 7 women), each of whom receives 4s. 6d. weekly from the bequest above mentioned.

STORER'S ALMSHOUSE.-Henry Storer, of Frisby-on-the-Wreak, in 1720 bequeathed certain lands and tenements in that parish and Melton, for the benefit of the poor of Melton, in such manner as his trustees should think fit. By a deed enrolled in Chancery, in 1740, the surviving trustees conveyed the estate left by the donor to other trustees, together with an oxgang of land, at Nether Broughton, which they had purchased with surplus rents, upon trust for the support of six other poor men or women, to be placed in Hudson's Bedehouse. In 1771 the charity was augmented with £50, left by Mary Briggs; and in 1827 the trustees purchased of the trustees appointed under

BENEFACTIONS.-In 1604 Thos. Hartopp charged his lands in Freeby and Eye-Kettleby with the yearly rent of 20s. for the poor of Melton, and it is distributed in bread by the overseers. In 1765 Ann Hewitt left £20 to be used in supplying the poor with coals at cost price. This sum was augmented to £50 by the gifts of a Mr. Fountaine and Eliz. Henley, and that sum is employed yearly for the above-named purpose. In 1686 Abigail Smith left land at Sysonby, now let for £9, in trust to employ the rents yearly in apprenticing poor boys of Sysonby and Melton. In 1693 Roger Waite charged a house in Church Lane with the yearly payment of 52s. for the weekly distribution of 1s. worth of bread among the poor of Melton, by the church wardens. In 1612 Wm. Hickson charged a house and land here, now belonging to Mr. J. Parke, with 20s. a year for the poor. In 1686 James Hickson left £50 to the churchwardens and overseers, in trust to distribute the interest yearly, on St. Thomas's Day, among the poor, and it is now lodged in the Savings' Bank. In 1732 Sir Richard Raynes gave a house in Nottingham Street, and a close of land, in trust for clothing six poor boys attending the free school, and supplying them with books. The land was exchanged at the enclosure for 5A. lR. 5P., which is let with the house for £55 per annum. About 20 boys are now recipients of this charity. Each is chosen for three years, and receives annually a suit of blue clothes, two pair of blue stockings, a blue worsted cap, one pair of half-boots, one pair of.bands, and two shirts, and wears a silver badge bearing the donor's name. The trustees appointed in 1823 were Col. Reeve, R. Norman, G. Marroitt, and T. Fowler. In 1738 Mary Green left £50 for the use of the poor, and it was vested in £67 0s. 7d. three per cent. Consols. The dividends are distributed by the vicar. Ten poor persons of Melton have 30s. yearly from Col. Reeve, of Leadenham, as the interest of £30 left by Thos. and Wm. Reeve in 1756 and 1762. Three single women, of the age of 60 or upwards, receive £5 each yearly, as the interest of £300 left by John Bourn in 1756. The interest of £70, lent on mortgage at five per cent.. and left by Mary Briggs in 1771, is distributed as follows 20s. in Bibles, among poor boys, and £2 l0s, in coals at Christmas, by the vicar and churchwardens, who are also trustees of £180 9s. new three and a-half per cent. Annuities, purchased in 1826, with £200 left by Seth Hose, to be applied in supplying the poor with coal. Beside sums named above, Mr. Ward left the dividends of the following suns for the purposes named: £1000 for the organist, £1000 for repairing the organ and paving the choir, £1000 for lighting and warming the church, £2000 for reseating and repairing the church, £500 for distribution in bread, and £4100 for repairs and matters connected with the church, making a total of £10,600 bequeathed by him. An Act of the 7th of Geo. IV., to sell certain parts of the Town Estate of Melton, 600 square yards of land in Rutland street upon which they built a NEW ALMSHOUSE, consisting of three houses under one roof, each of which comprisesn two sitting rooms and four bed rooms, and is occupied by two almspeople, who are allowed 3s, each per week. The six almswomen placed by this charity in Hudson's Almshouse are allowed quarterly stipends £2 18s. 6d. each. The yearly income of Storer's Charity is £180, of which about £150 arises from houses and buildings in the town, and from land at Frisby and Nether Broughton, and the rest from the dividends of £500 bequeathed by the late Mr. Thos. Ward, and of £150 given by Mr. W. Latham in 1873. The erection of the New Hospital cost about £700, and the site £152, both of which sums were borrowed, but the debt has since been liquidated. Messrs. N. Whitchurch, Thos. Hickson, Vincent Wing, and John Day are trustees for both Hudson's and Storer's Almshouses, and the funds have latterly been indiscriminately applied in aid of each other.

THE POS, MONEY ORDER AND TELEGRAPH OFFICE, SAVINGS' BANK, AND GOVERNMENT INSURANCE AND ANNUITY OFFICE is in the Market-place, and Mr. George Saunders is the postmaster. Letters are delivered at 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. on week days, and 8 a.m. on Sundays; and are despatched at 11.5 a.m. and 8.30 p.m. week days, and 5.45 p.m. (for the country), and 7.30 p.m. (for London) Sundays. Money Orders are issued and paid from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturdays till 8 p.m. The Telegraph Office is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. week days, and 8 t0 10 a.m. Sundays. There are Letter-boxes in Nottingham Street and Thorpe End, cleared at 6.50 p.m.

Copyright Guy Etchells Ó 2000 All rights reserved.