Building record MDO45166 - Chubb's Almshouse, Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury

Also called Chubbs House. It is a modern stone-built almshouse. It was founded in 1611 but no trace of the original building is visible. It was rebuilt in 1834 and 1861 and enlarged in 1865.

(ST 86582285) Almshouse (NAT) <2>

On the west side of Salisbury Street is an almshouse for 16 poor women. Over the door there was formerly a brass plate which included the following in the inscription. "ANNO DOM.1611. MATHEW CHUBB, of DORCHESTER, was the founder of this house....."

In 1617 Chubb further endowed the house. It was rebuilt by Shaftesbury Corporation in 1834, and since that time has been further endowed.

(The name 'Almshouse' occurs on the 1615 plan of Shaftesbury but the building to which it refers is centred approximately 30.0m. north-west of the existing building, but this is perhaps an inaccuracy in the old plan.) <1>

The almshouse is still known as Chubb's Almshouse and is erected on the site of the old building. It is now administered for women only.

The present modern building is stone built and bears a plaque which reads - 'Chubb's Almshouse - Founded 1611, Rebuilt by the Corporation of Shaftesbury - 1861". Another plaque states that it was enlarged in 1865. No visible trace remains of the old building. <3>

<1> Hutchins, J, 1868, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. Volume 3. 3rd edition, 42-3 (Monograph). SDO11486.

<2> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey 25 inch scale map, 1929 (Map). SDO18020.

<3> Edwards, D W, Field Investigator's Comments DE, F1 DE 01-FEB-56 (Unpublished document). SDO18341.

<3.1> Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments, Mr. Squire (Clerk to the Trustees) (Unpublished document). SWX999.

<4> National Record of the Historic Environment, 206484 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Jun 27 2023 2:58PM