We are delighted to announce the successful transfer of Mary Tate’s Almshouses to Mitcham Garden Village.
Mary Tate’s Almshouses have been held in trust by Croydon Almshouses since 2013. During this time we have met and supported many wonderful residents, sharing in our common values and community focus.
We wish Mary Tate’s Almshouses and Mitcham Garden Village every success for the future.
Do you know who Mary Tate was?
Mary Tate was born around 1776, into a wealthy family. The Tates were members of the landed gentry, owning a number of estates and properties: Burleigh Hall in Loughborough, Leicestershire; Langdown near Dibden in Hampshire; a large house on Mitcham’s Cricket Green in Surrey, and Grosvenor Place, London. Mary never married, so on the death of her father George Tate in 1822, she became the sole heir and remained so until her death.
Following the death of her father, Mary allowed the large property in Mitcham to be used for a while as a home for the mentally ill. She then made the decision in the 1820s to have the house demolished and to build almshouses on the site. The almshouses were to provide accommodation for 12 women, and Mary also gave an endowment to facilitate the upkeep of the building.
Mary died in 1849 aged 73 at Burleigh Hall. During her life she was a generous benefactor, endowing not only the almshouses but also giving to schools and churches in other locations. Her last resting place is Mitcham Parish Church, where her Father also lies buried.
Read more about Croydon Almshouses’ rich History.