The Bushell Hospital, Goosnargh

Image: © Humphrey Bolton Taken: 25 Aug 2007

This is similar to the photograph in SD5636, but as the grid line goes approximately through the front door the building deserves to be in this square too. The Hospital was founded by William Bushell's will, 1735. He devised almost all his estate to trustees for maintaining 'decayed gentlemen or gentlewomen or persons of the better rank of both or either sex, inhabitants of local townships, and Protestants, in a house or hospital to be provided in Goosnargh, at or near the dwelling-house of his late father.' The trust became effective ten years later when his daughter Elizabeth died. In 1824 there were thirteen persons in the hospital; each had a separate room, but they dined together. The rainwater hoppers are dated 1722, so it would seem possible that the building is the house of his father, which would explain why it looks more like a mansion than almshouses. The house was later enlarged, and the number of residents increased to 24.

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