The Hollis Hospital

[Guest Gramps]

The building

In Newhall street.
The rear from Bridge street.

The Hollis Hospital was founded in 1703 as a home for 16 poor women, notably the widows of cutlers and other trades, in the Sheffield area. The building in the photographs is the later one as rebuilt by the Thomas Hollis trustees in 1776. The original building, adapted by Hollis for the purpose in 1703, was the ancient New Hall which is mentioned as early as 1571 in the document known as the 'Easter Book'. From 1678 the New Hall had been used as Sheffield's first dissenting chapel and, after the congregation removed to the new Upper Chappel in Norfolk street in 1700, Hollis purchased the New Hall and an adjoining house in 1703 for his charity.

There was, on or in, the earlier building an inscription which read..."This Hospital for sixteen poor aged inhabitants of Sheffield or within two miles round it, was built and improved by Thomas Hollis, of London, cutler, in A.D.1703; And it is repaired and the maintenance Augmented by his son Thomas Hollis of London A.D. 1724; And Further Endowed by John Hollis of London, Another Son, A.D. 1726."; and on the later building an inscription...."This Hospital for sixteen poor aged inhabitants of Sheffield or within two miles round it, and school for fifty children, were founded by Thomas Hollis, of London, cutler, in 1703; and was further endowed by his sons, Thomas Hollis, 1724, and John Hollis, 1726, and rebuilt more commodiously by the Trustees, 1776."

The building was demolished in about 1901 as part of Sheffield Corporation's road widening scheme but its probable location was the position marked as 'HH' on the 1903 survey.



The hospital, which had likely always been an old people's home or almshouse rather than a hospital in the modern sense, removed to a purpose-built site near Fulwood Bridge on land which was part of the Hollis endowment...

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&...9&encType=1


The man.

Thomas Hollis was born in 1634 at Rotherham, the son of a whitesmith, and in 1648 was apprenticed in Sheffield to his uncle, John Ramskar, a cutler. His father had founded a school in Rotherham so presumably Thomas had received a good education. He was sent to London at an early age to handle his uncle's affairs as a wholesaler. He apparently did very well in the London business as a wholesale cutler and draper, for in 1678 he made a generous donation to the dissenting chapel at New Hall and another towards the new Upper Chapel.

As well as supporting the inmates of the hospital he also supported various ministers and two schoolmasters in the Sheffield area with annual stipends for many years. He died in London on 4th September, 1718, in his eighty-fifth year.

His charity is till very much alive and continues to fulfill its purpose.

http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/ShowC...sidiaryNumber=0

[Bayleaf]

I don't know whether there's any connection, but on the 1637 Harrison survey there are several fields near Watt Lane at Crosspool called Ramscar Fields. I've not been able to find any explanation for the name, but I wonder whether the connection is to the family gramps mentions?

[Guest Gramps]

From the Burgery accounts Henry Ramsker was a church warden in 1598 and one of the constables in 1618; apart from another reference to him as 'Raneskar' in 1598 it's not a name I've encountered before. The field could be named after one of his ancestors - unlikely that he derives his name from a field unless of course there was a homestead there of that name.

I see from Harrison's survey New Hall was in the possesion of one Robert Rollinson for which he paid a freehold/copyhold rental of two pence. I don't use Harrison's survey very much - without a map a lot of it pretty cryptic.

[madannie77]

The Hollis Hospital on an 1896 Insurance Map

[Ponytail]

Hollis Hospital, left side fronting Bridge Street. y01867

Founded 1703 by Thomas Hollis, who purchased the first Dissenting meeting-house in Sheffield, called the New Hall and adjoining house and had it converted into 16 dwellings for poor women. Built 1776. Demolished 1901.

Hollis Hospital, entrance on Newhall Street. 1900.arc02334

Photographer: Yates, Fargate. 

Original at Sheffield City Archives ref. MD7596/3.

Hollis Hospital, inside the hospital premises; from a photograph taken across the yard. 1900.arc02335

 

Rear of Hollis Hospital and Schools, building on right fronts Bridge Street. Buildings on left fronts Court No. 1, Water Lane. u03278

 

A plan of Hollis's Hospital in Sheffield and several adjacent tenements which belong to the Trust. 1789.

https://www.picturesheffield.com/frontend.php?keywords=Ref_No_increment;EQUALS;arc03803&pos=31&action=zoom&id=99474

 

This Plan shows position of Hollis Hospital on the extreme right. 

The Earl of Surrey's tenements between Bower Street and New Hall Street, [1781]

https://www.picturesheffield.com/frontend.php?keywords=Ref_No_increment;EQUALS;arc04286&pos=34&action=zoom&id=105965

Shows: Bower Spring Lane, Spring Croft, Steelhouse Lane, Workhouse Lane,  Hicks Lane, New Hall Street [Newhall Street], footway to Bridgehouses, Under the Water, Town Mill Wheel and Town Mill.

John Hawksworth, Jno. Askwell / Ashwell, John Wainwright, Ann Genn, Joseph Frisket, Samuel Broadbent, W. Fowler, James Foulds, Thomas Fox, Widow Warrington, Samuel Matthews, Denis Belk, William Fox, John Deykin, wardens of a club, Ann Young’s heirs, George Greene, Joshua Wright, Samuel Bates, Matthew Fenton, George Greaves, Robert Dring, John Brownell, Thomas Holy’s heirs, William Booth, Ann Newton, Francis Sayles, heirs of Nicholas Hick, William Thompson, James Mellor, heirs of Samuel Smith, John Robinson, Samuel Hirst, Thomas Smith, Thomas Taylor, John Fox, Samuel Norris, John Vickers, Samuel Camm, Joseph Wildsmith, George and Philip Smilter, Mary Pashley, Joseph Ashforth, Hollis Hospital.

 

Plaque from Hollis Hospital. y00590

 

Leighton in the conversation below obviously doesn't quote it word for word, but the gist of it. 

Edit: All is revealed in a later posts containing another Plaque and in the Hollis Hospital.org. History.... Leighton quoting from an earlier "modest but ancient building" near the Cathedral with a Plaque. 

 

Extract from articles and letters from The Sheffield and Rotherham Independent 1872/3, edited by Robert Eadon Leader 1875. "Reminiscences, it's Streets and its People."

Page 111.

"Leighton: Standing with its side to Newhall Street and facing Millsands is Hollis's Hospital, or, as it used commonly to be called, Brown Hospital, built on the site of the first Dissenters' Chapel in the town. Its history is to be found in Hunter's Hallamshire; but the inscription on the Newhall Street- side, over a blocked-up doorway, may be recorded here, for although there seems to be no present prospect of its obliteration, when such things do disappear there is no recovering them : —

"This Hospital, for sixteen poor aged Inhabitants of Sheffield or within two Miles round it, And School for fifty children, were founded by Thomas Hollis, of London, Cutler, 1703, And further endowed by his sons,Thomas Hollis, 1724, and John Hollis, 1726, And rebuilt more commodiously by the Trustees,1776."

Everard: While almost everything else round here has changed, this building remains the same, close to busy thoroughfares, and yet, as it were, removed from them. Stepping down here, only a few yards from the noisy streets, has to some extent the effect of getting into a Cathedral close."

Pages 189 &190. 

St. Thomas's Day in Hollis Croft. 

"Leighton: An old Hollis Croft public-house was "The Cock."

Wragg: Yes, it was once kept by the father of the Mr. Jonathan Beardshaw, who has been mentioned as landlord of the Ball, Hawley Croft. His widow and his daughter's husband, named Henderson, also kept it.

Leighton: Passing down the street, a few days ago, I found myself standing opposite to the house. I was sorry to see that the Cock had lost some of the *** plumage which adorned him so well 40 or 50 years ago; yet he still holds up his crest as proud as ever, and is ready to do battle as in the days of yore against all who shall presume to poach upon his domestic domain. I thought of the days that are long gone by, and of the old song : —

"Bright Chanticleer proclaims the dawn. And spangles deck the sky."

Again,

"My Lord, the early village cock hath thrice Bid salutation to the morn."

And again, that it was St. Thomas's Day. All hail to the founders of the Hollis Hospital, from whom the Croft takes its name. They are to be found recorded within the grounds at the bottom of Snig Hill, and a full history is given in Hunter's Hallamshire. The Trustees in their wisdom, and no doubt with the best intentions, let the ground in Hollis Croft on building leases for 900 years, the front at Is. per yard, and large pieces of ground at the back for nothing. That they were generous souls is sufficiently proved by their allowing three guineas to the tenantry to enable them to enjoy a good old English dinner. It was held at the "Cock," on St. Thomas's Day, and these are the names of some of those who took a delight in attending. There were three brothers of the name of Shepherd, two of whom I knew. They were invariably together, one of them walking about a yard in advance of the other. Other two brothers were Samuel and Benjamin Marples. I had the pleasure of knowing them well — honesty and truth were in them, and when one died the other could not live; he did not long survive his friend, his companion, his brother. Now, whatever I have said in praise of the above applies equally to those I shall mention below — Mr. Philip Law, Mr. John Spencer (Matthias Spencer and Son, Pea Croft); and oh, what delight I feel when I meet his venerable figure, and look upon his cheerful countenance. He will long be remembered. Mr. Jonathan Beardshaw, of whom more anon; Mr. John Hawksley, Mr. James Wild (of whom you have heard before), Messrs. Shirtcliffe, Skinner, Barraclough (Messrs. Wingfield and Rowbotham), Benjamin Leathley, Thomas Makin, Charles Sanderson, and various others. Their descendants are still amongst us, keeping up the good names of their families. The dinner is over, the usual loyal toasts are given, the land-lord ordered; the spirits, the lemons, the sugar & etc, are brought in, and Mr, Beardshaw, in accordance with the time-honoured custom, is called to mix the punch. He consults his friends. A little more lemon, says Mr. Wild; a little more sugar, says another; and the mirth begins. Mr. Beardshaw is called upon to sing his song of the "Flat Backs": —

" To mak 'em we are willin, A basket full for a shillin, Red herrins and potatoes Our bellies to be fillin."

But though times were bad with them, they could still be generous with the ale, and "Pray the' gie Steen (Stephen) a sup, for he is varry dry, his throat is full of smithy sleek, the wind has been so high." Other songs followed. The old warlike ones were not forgotten.

"Let the song go round, let the shouts resound, Let the trumpet sound on Spanish ground; Let the cvmbals bang, with a merry, merry clang, To the joys of the next campaign — To the joys of the next campaign."

Amidst all the mirth and jollity which prevailed, one thing was never forgotten, a subscription for the poor widows of the street. It was always a liberal one, and I have no doubt carried comfort and consolation along with it. It is not always a pleasure to recall the past, but in the course of a pretty long life I have experienced a full share of bright sunshine, to which I can look back with pleasure; and some of the moments I passed on St. Thomas's Day, at the sign of the " Cock," are among these. Several of those whom I have named above could well afford to ride in their own carriages, but they were plain men, and would have felt ashamed to have been seen in them; but in these days, when wealth is accumulated by leaps and bounds. 

"Some drive along with four in hand. While others drive at random, In wisky-buggy, gig or dog-cart, Curricle or tandem."

Twiss: When speaking of fraternal affection of Samuel and Benjamin Marples you might have added that, inseparable as they were, it was the rarest thing in the world to see them without their wives. The four were always together, and formed a most harmonious quartette."

 

Plan of the property in Sheffield belonging to the Trustees of Hollis' Hospital let on building leases, 1855 (copied 1859) includes Hollis Croft. 

https://www.picturesheffield.com/frontend.php?keywords=Ref_No_increment;EQUALS;y09970&pos=27&action=zoom&id=65489

 

Ordnance Survey Map, sheet no. Yorkshire No. 294.7.15 1889

(Hollis Croft can be seen bottom right, The Cock P. H marked about halfway up). 

https://www.picturesheffield.com/frontend.php?keywords=Ref_No_increment;EQUALS;q00060&pos=63&action=zoom&id=106069

 

Hollis Croft Sheffield, Cock public house and mystery medieval coin. 

https://www.wessexarch.co.uk/news/hollis-croft-sheffield-cock-public-house-and-mystery-medieval-coin

 

Hollis Hospital Trust, Sheffield. 

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/c/F109998

 

[Ponytail]

This appears to be an earlier plan of Hollis Hospital Properties than the one on the previous post. 

Plan of Hollis Croft, White Croft and parts of Brocco Street, Edward Street and Solly Street, [1787 - 1789]

https://www.picturesheffield.com/frontend.php?keywords=Ref_No_increment;EQUALS;arc04146&pos=1397&action=zoom&id=103992

Marked: Allen Street (far right) and Ratten Row, Sims Croft and West Bar Green (far left).

Shows tenements and ground lately demised in Brocko Bank Close [sic]: 1 Joseph and Robert Unwin, 2 William Vickers, 3 William Longley, 4 Robert Dawson, 5 Matthew Jepson, 6 John Knowles, 7 John Haye, 8 Thomas Moor, 9 Samuel Marsh, 10 George Wilde, 11 Thomas Sambourn, 12 Richard Beale, 13 Thomas Sambourn, 14 Sam Marples, 15 John Wingfield, 16 Adam Ashton, 17 John Green, 18 William Jervis;

Tenements on the north side of Hollis Croft:  19 Sarah Nicholson, 20 George Levick, 21 Thomas Ford and Widow Best, 22 John Spooner, 23 William Platts, 24 John Jepson, 25 Benjamin Leathley, 26 John Wilde, 27 Benjamin Leathley, 28 Richard Kent, 29 Richard Oldham, 30 Joshua Wright, 31 James King, 32 John Harrison, 33 Amelia Crookes, 34 James Townsend, 35 Christopher Oates, 36 Richard Howden, 37 Joseph Bower.

Tenements on the south side of Hollis Croft: 38 John Shepherd,  39 John Rose, 40 John Kenyon, 41 John Harrison, 42 Samuel Marples, 43 John Wingfield, 44 William Stocks, 45 John Spooner, 46 Thomas Lindley and William Gill, 47 Joseph Burdekin, 48 Elizabeth Doe, 49 James Makin, 50 Matthew Ashton.

 

Similar plan to the other 1855 Plan but this one includes Hollis Hospital top right. 

Plan of the property in Sheffield belonging to the Trustees of Hollis' Hospital. 1855

https://www.picturesheffield.com/frontend.php?keywords=Ref_No_increment;EQUALS;y09969&pos=89&action=zoom&id=65484

 

[MartinR]

For information: there is a short article on Hollis Hospital on Wikipedia at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollis_Hospital

[Ponytail]

Almshouses, Hollis Hospital, junction of Ecclesall Road South and Whirlowdale Road, Whirlow. September 1994.s32290

February 1981.s32294

September 1994

s32293

s32292

s32291

 

Plaque, Hollis Hospital, Ecclesall Road South. February 1987.s33627

 

[Ponytail]

Ladies of Hollis Hospital on the veranda at Whirlow Brook. 1921. arc02331

The photographer, Lily Marguerite Jones (nee Fawcett), invited the Alms Ladies to take tea at Whirlow each year.

arc02332

Originals at Sheffield City Archives ref. MD7596/3.

 

[Ponytail]

Plaque at Hollis Hospital, Whirlow, commemorating Jocelyn Norbury Solly, chairman of the Trustees. 1921. 

arc02333

Photographer. Roy Bullen. 

Original at Sheffield City Archives ref. MD7596/3.

[Ponytail]

Historic England.

North West Block, Hollis Hospital. 

SK38SW ECCLESALL ROAD SOUTH 784-1/9/299 (South East side) North-west block at Hollis Hospital
Grade II Listed. 

https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/photos/item/IOE01/03387/12

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1270722

 

Central Block. Grade II Listed. 

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1344935

 

East Block. Grade II Listed. 

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1255159

 

West Block. Grade II Listed. 

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1058980

 

[Ponytail]

Hollis Hospital, Charitable Housing since 1703.

https://www.hollishospital.org/history/

Worth a read: includes History with Family Portraits. 

 

[Ponytail]

Hollis Croft, Sheffield, South Yorkshire. 

Old site and new Connections. 

https://intarch.ac.uk/journal/issue56/4/2.html

 

[Ponytail]

Plan of Garden Street as first laid out, c. 1783. 

https://www.picturesheffield.com/frontend.php?keywords=Ref_No_increment;EQUALS;arc04113&pos=1387&action=zoom&id=103725

Refers to land purchased by William Fairbank of Francis Fenton for £80 raised by subscription in Sheffield Meeting and given to the Earl of Surrey in exchange for the addition to the burying ground in the year 1782; also Old Burying Ground of the People called Quakers, a school [St Luke's parochial school], an Independent Chapel [Congregational?], also, property assigned to the Young Society; top right is Hollis Hospital Lane.

Names marked: Joseph Henson, Richard Owen, John Holbem, Widow Vaughan, John Green, Jos Mekin, Luke Ezra, Ridgard, Harman, Michael Pryor, Joseph Roberts, Jonathan Wilde, James Vickers, Timothy Twybill, William Stocks, John Wingfield, Benjamin Jepson, John Harrison,   John Bristow, John Kenyon, Thomas Betts, Joseph Binney, John Hunter, John Sheppard, Charles Brookfield, Henry Holbert, Widow Anne Twybill, Samuel Hill, George Woodhead, John Kirk, Thomas Cawton, John Carr, George Carr, Jonathan Drabble, John Beardshall, John Netson, Matthew Siddall / Siddal, Thomas Smith, Humphrey Butcher, John Harrison, Joseph Drabble, Joseph Haywood,  John Binney, Thomas Jackson, James Travis, William Brightmore, Joseph Peace, John Leathley, John Auckland, and Mary Newport.

 

In reference to the article in the previous post. "Old site new Connections." mentions a plan of Garden Street 1781. Plan of Hollis Croft 1787-9 posted previously. 

"Fairbank and Son undertook mapping of the area in the late 18th century. A plan was produced of Hollis Croft between 1787 and 1789 and an adjacent plan of Garden Street was completed earlier in 1781. The two plans taken together provide coverage of the entire site. A series of courts with houses are depicted, incorporating probable small-scale industrial and/or commercial enterprises on the northern frontage of Hollis Croft. A similar pattern is shown on the south side of Hollis croft, but here some of the industrial enterprises appear to be on a larger scale with a large plot consisting of buildings around a central courtyard owned by John Kenyon (the site of a saw and steel works; see below). The premises directly to the west of this fronting Garden Street were a tool and steel works owned by John Harrison (Wessex Archaeology 2018a)."