Twice a widower herself - she was married to her second husband, Thomas Routh of Snaith, a grocer for less than a year he died in 1704 - her desire was for a refuge for "as many poor old widows as the rents would maintain at 2 shillings each…" Twenty-seven years later in 1749, the red brick abode was finally erected in the Keldgate area of Beverley providing accommodation for 12 church-going widows of the town.
As stipulated, proper mention was made of her name, and the name of her first husband, Mr Christopher Moore, on a stone to be fixed in front of the hospital.
But money was also put aside that "each of the widows should have, as often as need should require, a purple coloured gown of woolen." And just in case a passerby should be unsure as to the provider of such alms, the late Mrs Routh also asked that "a silver badge fixed to the same, with the testatrix Ann's name, and the day and year of her death engraved on it."
These conditions were duly observed until early in the 20th century, so doubtless the George III shield-shaped plaques inscribed Ann Routh Died March 25 1722 seen at Woolley & Wallis on January 31 are two of many that were made and a handful that survive.
One was by London makers Peter and William Bateman, 1810; the other, c.1800, was struck twice with only a maker's mark, probably that of Robert Jones of Liverpool. They sold at £500 (plus 17.5% buyer's premium).
By Roland Arkell
