labelled R. (twice), Proj[ection] / 19.3 and some dimensions given

Charles Malton (pupil 1802-1809) or J. Adams (1788-1879, pupil 1806-1809)

This group of record drawings was probably included in the report that Soane made to the Board of Commissioners at Chelsea in April 1809. Soane wrote in his report that 'a part of the building which had been in the possession of Lord Yarborough, adjoining the Whitster's dwelling, has since the last Board day been pulled down without any previous notice whatever being given, and with an inattention almost without example, injurious to the building, and destructive of that regularity and symmetry for which this great national Institution has hitherto been celebrated'.

The Whitster's dwelling was partly demolished, without Soane's consent, in order to provide space for Colonel Gordon's new villa. The record drawings pre-date any major design work at Chelsea and Soane probably had little besides repairs to do with this building. Soane was eventually to build a new Whitster's residence and washouse after 1815. There are no designs for this project within the Soane Museum collection but the building remains in situ today, between Soane's Bakehouse and Gardener's House, along the West Road.

'Whitster' is an abbreviation for 'whitester', that is, someone who washes and bleaches white garments and linen.

Papers, presented to the House of Commons, relating to the Building of a New Infirmary, and the Leasing of Ground at Chelsea Hospital (ordered by the House of Commons) to be Printed, 20^th April 1809
P. Dean, 'The Royal Hospital Chelsea I- Pre-1815' in Sir John Soane and London, 2006, p.68

Drawing

Digitisation of the Drawings Collection has been made possible through the generosity of the Leon Levy Foundation

If you have any further information about this object, please contact us: drawings@soane.org.uk