Sir John Port Almshouses

SK 26/2732 PARISH OF ETWALL CHURCH HILL 6/13 (West Side) Sir John Port 2.9.52 Almshouses GV II*

Almshouses. 1681 and c1690, with minor later repairs, built by governors of the former Sir John Port almshouses. Red brick with stone dressings, quoins, copings to plinth and first floor stringcourse. Steeply pitched. plain tile roofs with ridgeback copings and moulded kneelers, plus large brick rear wall stacks with stone dressings, those to north range having a T-plan and three diamond section brick pots linked at the top. Each cottage is a single bay and is single storied plus an attic. There are 16 cottages in all, 12 of which are built round three sides of a courtyard and another four, joined on later to the east at the southern end of the courtyard. To the centre of the north range is pedimented archway through the building. The arch has a semi-circular head with raised keystone and imposts, moulded edges and is set in an ogee moulded flat headed recess. Above is a moulded stringcourse and an inscribed marble plaque in bolection moulded surround, 'Sir John Port, Knight, son to Sir John Port one of the justices of the court of Kings Bench haufing by his last will left an estate for the erection and endowment of a free schole at Repton and a hospitall in this place, departed this life June VI MDLVII. The which foundation haveing been accordingly established. This hospitall through length of time falling into decay was rebuilt, the sallarys increased, the alms men augmented from VI to XII. The Right Honourable Theophilus, late of Huntingdon, the Right Honourable Philip, Earl of Chesterfield and S William Gerrard, Baronet. Hiers generale to the founder being governors MDCLXXXI'. Above again, three painted coat of arms set in cartouches within moulded surrounds, each with mask to top, set within scrollwork. Plain frieze and swan-neck scrolled open pediment with central achievement above. To either side two cottages, each with central chamfered, four-centered arched doorcase, flanked by 2-light recessed and chamfered mullion windows with diamond leaded lights. Above, full dormer with ridgeback copings to gable and central 2-light recessed and chamfered mullion with dripmoul.d. To east and west, four similar cottages and attached to east by a stone, four-centered arched doorcase, four more similar cottages. Interiors very simple with winder staircases.

Listing NGR: SK2687832064