Queens’ College Almshouses, Silver Street

History of the Almshouses, Silver Street

The location, described in 1831, of the Queens’ College almshouses. The 1831 New Guide to Cambridge says they were of ancient foundation and ‘are at present appropriated to eight poor widows, appointed by the President of Queens’ College. Each inmate receives 2s and a pound of meat each week, with a children of coals every year, with a gratuity of £1 on the 25th of September, and 2s 6d on Christmas Eve.‘

British History Online has this description:

Queens’ College almshouses were founded by Andrew Dockett, President of the College, by his will proved in 1485. They stood in Smallbridges (now Silver) Street (fn. 1) and the number of almswomen inhabiting them increased from three at Dockett’s death to eight in 1676. The endowment was increased by later legacies from Presidents and others. In 1836 the almshouses, whose site had been sold to St. Catharine’s, were rebuilt in Queens’ Lane. One of the new houses was sold to King’s and the rest were demolished in 1911. To replace them and the allowances which Queens’ had made to the inmates, the College thereafter paid weekly pensions of 8s. to eight women.