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Charter House

The name of this establishment is derived, by an easy and evident corruption, from Chartreuse, the place in which it is situated having been a convent of Carthusian monks, founded near Smithfield bars, London, on a spot which served for the sepulture of 50,000 persons who died of the plague in 1372. This establishment was seized on by Henry VIII., and the monks who appear to have been benevolent and blameless, were treated with great indignity and cruelty. In the reign of James I., there arose one of those extraordinary men, who shew that it is possible for a virtuous mind to resist all the corrupt propensities arising from unbounded wealth and uninterrupted success. This individual was Thomas Sutton, of an ancient family in Lincolnshire, who having originally a good inheritance, and having improved his property till it exceeded 80,000l., a vast sum in those days, distinguished his declining years by acts of benevolence and charity. On the 9th of May, 1611, he purchased of the heirs of the Duke of Norfolk, the Charter-house with its appurtenances, for 13,000l.; and on the 22d of June, in the same year, he obtained letters patent, with a license in mortmain, to found an hospital and free school there. This admirable charity was perfected under the directions of his will, making a total expense of 20,000l.; and the founder left estates, for its endowment, valued at 4,500l. per annum. The scholars have handsome lodgings, are instructed in classical and other learning, and supplied with all the necessaries of life; and the students at the universities have an allowance of 20l. per annum each, for the term of eight years. The boys who are incapable of being brought up scholars, are put out apprentices, and the sum of 40l. given with each. There are nine ecclesiastical preferments in the patronage of the governors.

Source: Leigh's New Picture of London. Printed for Samuel Leigh, 18, Strand;
by W. Clowes, Northumberland Court. 1819