Hollis Hospital is an
almshouse
An almshouse (also known as a bede-house, poorhouse, or hospital) was charitable housing provided to people in a particular community, especially during the medieval era. They were often targeted at the poor of a locality, at those from certain ...
dating from 1703 in
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city status in the United Kingdom, city in South Yorkshire, England, whose name derives from the River Sheaf which runs through it. The city serves as the administrative centre of the City of Sheffield. It is Historic counties o ...
, England.
Thomas Hollis
Thomas Hollis (1634–1718) was apprenticed to a John Ramsker, a
cutler
A cutler is a maker of cutlery.
Cutler may also refer to:
People
* Cutler (surname)
* Cutler J. Cleveland, scientist
Geography U.K.
*Cutlers Ait, island in the River Thames
* Cutler Heights, district of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England
*Cutler ...
, and was sent to London in 1654 to manage Ramsker's wholesale cutlery business. Hollis became a
dissenter
A dissenter (from the Latin ''dissentire'', "to disagree") is one who dissents (disagrees) in matters of opinion, belief, etc.
Usage in Christianity
Dissent from the Anglican church
In the social and religious history of England and Wales, and ...
and
Baptist
Baptists form a major branch of Protestantism distinguished by baptizing professing Christianity, Christian believers only (believer's baptism), and doing so by complete Immersion baptism, immersion. Baptist churches also generally subscribe ...
. Hollis prospered in London becoming a
Freeman of the City of London
The Freedom of the City of London started around 1237 as the status of a 'free man' or 'citizen', protected by the charter of the City of London and not under the jurisdiction of a feudal lord. In the Middle Ages, this developed into a freedom or ...
and a member of the
Worshipful Company of Drapers
The Worshipful Company of Drapers is one of the 110 livery companies of the City of London. It has the formal name The Master and Wardens and Brethren and Sisters of the Guild or Fraternity of the Blessed Mary the Virgin of the Mystery of Dr ...
. He was noted for his philanthropy, particularly in his native Sheffield. He was associated with the building of New Hall, the first dissenter chapel in the city and in 1700 the building of a new, larger chapel. In 1703 Hollis bought New Hall and the adjoining house which he converted into Hollis Hospital. He was also a benefactor of
St. Thomas' Hospital in London and
Harvard College
Harvard College is the undergraduate college of Harvard University, an Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1636, Harvard College is the original school of Harvard University, the oldest institution of higher ...
in Massachusetts. Hollis had four children, one of whom was
Thomas Hollis (1659–1731)
Thomas Hollis (1659 – January 21, 1731)Hollis died in January 1730 by the Old Style calendar in use at the time, but in 1731 by New Style (modern) dating. was a wealthy English merchant and a benefactor of Harvard University.
Benefactions
A ...
who continued his father's support of Harvard.
Hollis Hospital
The original Hollis Hospital was at the junction of Newhall St and Bridge St in the Wicker area of Sheffield. Hollis Hospital was established originally for the care of 16 poor women, mainly the widows of workers in the Sheffield cutlery trades. The almshouses were further augmented and endowed by two of his sons (Thomas and John) in 1724 and 1726 respectively. The original almshouse was rebuilt by the trustees in 1776 to be more commodious and to incorporate a school for fifty children. In 1901 the original building was demolished as part of a road-widening scheme. The hospital was transferred to new premises at the junction of Whirlowdale Road and Ecclesall Road South in the south of the city. There are four accommodation blocks: East, West, Central and North West. The four blocks were designed by Howard C Clarke and built in 1903. Each of the four blocks is a
grade II listed building
In the United Kingdom, a listed building or listed structure is one that has been placed on one of the four statutory lists maintained by Historic England in England, Historic Environment Scotland in Scotland, in Wales, and the Northern I ...
. The east block has a inscribed slate plaque dated 1703.
References
Citations
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External links
The front of Hollis hospital prior to 1899(Sheffield City Council website)
The rear view(Sheffield City Council website)
Hollis Hospital Website
{{coord, 53.3399, N, 1.5314, W, type:landmark_region:GB-SHF, display=title
Almshouses in South Yorkshire
Sheffield