About this objectThree elderly women near a water pump in the courtyard at The Biggin. Courtyard. This is a closely similar postcard to 8629/14 which is identical but for the lack of crest on the top left.
The current Biggin building dates from the 1500s and became an Almshouse upon the death of the owner Joseph Kempe. In his lifetime Kempe had operated a school at the building. As the Hitchin historian Anthony M Foster writes "Joseph Kempe died on August 3rd 1654 and left his Biggin Manor House to six of his Hitchin friends in trust for the benefit of "Ten poore auncient or middle aged women" and for the binding of "Fower poor children out of the Parish of Hitchin to be apprentices in some honest occupation". Any surplus funds were to be spent as the Trustees felt fit and, for their trouble, they were to have an annual dinner at a cost of forty shillings.“
MakerFrith, F. and Co.
Maker RoleIssuer
Inscription and MarksPrinted top left front Herts crest with HITCHIN in banner beneath printed left edge back F Frith and Co.Ltd. Reigate No.49743
