South Mimms: Hickson's Almshouses

Image: © Nigel Cox Taken: 29 Feb 2008

These almshouses, in Blanche Lane, were built in 1856, as evidenced by the date being picked out in the brickwork in the gable ends. They were originally founded, and built elsewhere, by James Hickson (1607-1689), a London brewer. In the 1881 Census the following six occupiers were enumerated, almost certainly in order from left to right across the photograph. Sarah Ann MOORE, a widow, aged 88, born in Bengeo, Hertfordshire Mary Ann STUBBS, a widow, aged 79, born London, Middlesex Sarah FRAISER, a widow, aged 73, born Hadley, Middlesex Elizabeth SHIPSAY, a widow, aged 75, born Goring, Bedfordshire Sarah REYNOLDS, a widow, aged 81, born Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire Lydia PARISH, a widow, aged 83, born South Mimms, Middlesex These names and details are as transcribed from the original census returns by the Church of Latter Day Saints. The given birthplace of the last occupant is interesting insofar as it demonstrates that at the time the County of Middlesex extended a long way into what is now Hertfordshire. Indeed the 1881 census enumeration district of South Mimms in Middlesex covered what is now the much larger town of Potters Bar.

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