|
|
The History of Walter’s Close
|
 |
Walter’s Close Almshouses were founded by John Walter, Clerk to the Drapers’ Company for forty years, 1616-1656. Walter duly purchased sites in Newington and Southwark where Almshouses were built in the middle years of the 17th century for the benefit of ‘aged godly and distressed poor people...of good name and fame...of quiet life and honest conversation’.
The Drapers’ Company was entrusted with the management of Walter’s Almshouses after his death, Walter having left the Company various properties to provide the necessary income. In 1690, his daughter Ann Mills entrusted the Company with a substantial gift for a similar purpose and further gifts were received in 1725 from Walter Mills and Richard Mills.
The two Almshouse trusts were consolidated together by a Charity Commission Scheme under the title of John Walter’s and Ann Mills’ Foundation.
The Walter’s Close block of Almshouses in Brandon Street was built in two stages: the first in 1961, to replace the old St. Mary Newington Almshouses which were demolished to make way for the Elephant and Castle road widening scheme, and the second in 1971 to replace the old St. George, Southwark Almshouses in Glasshill Street. |
|
 |
Click arrow to go back to The Almshouse Charities page. |
|
|
|
