Livery Dole Almshouses Robert Dennis (died 1592)

stone tablet above entrance gate livery dole, dedicated sir robert dennis, denys arms , quarterings above, inscribed: these alms-houses founded sir robert dennis, knight, in march 1591 , finished sir thomas dennis brother (sic) in 1594

in march 1591 founded livery dole almshouses in heavitree road, east of exeter, near site in 1531/2 father, sheriff of devon, had supervised burning @ stake of protestant martyr thomas benet. in requested building should completed son sir thomas denys (1559–1613) (erroneously stated on stone tablet above entrance gate have been brother). buildings completed in 1594. in 1849 almshouses rebuilt twin blocks on larger scale lady rolle of bicton house, widow of john rolle, 1st baron rolle (died 1842), eventual heir of dennis family. @ time new sculpted stone escutcheons showing dennis arms affixed new buildings. almshouses today occupy central part of livery dole west of chapel.

sir robert dennis stated in dated 25 july 1592 , proved 22 september 1592, had designed set aside plot of ground , erect alms-house , chapel number of poor people weekly stipends , yearly commodities, appear in devise signed , sealed him . appointed son sir thomas dennis sole executor, testator s brothers edward dennis , walter dennis overseers george cary of cockington , 4 others. requested in if should die before completion son sir thomas dennis should complete building work in consideration of love bore him , had not disinherited him . directed overseers complete work if son should refuse so. sir robert did indeed die before work finished, , son sir thomas dennis completed work in 1594. peppercorn chief rent of 1 penny per annum payable livery dole hospital lord of manor of heavitree.

there not slightest doubt of sir thomas dennis having been testator s son , yet on seemingly contemporary stone tablet erected on entrance formerly existing quadrangle erroneously described sir robert s brother : these alms-houses founded sir robert dennis, knight, in march 1591 , finished sir thomas dennis brother (sic) in 1594 . tablet contains heraldic escutcheon sculpted in relief showing ten quarterings of dennis family:

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