Illustrated Guide to Sheffield
Pawson & Brailsford - 1862

CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.

GENERAL INFIRMARY.

This handsome building and most valuable institution is situated at the end of Shalesmoor, near St. Philip's Church. It was erected by public subscription, and was opened in 1795. In 1841 extensive additions were made, at a cost of about £6,000. It is now a most efficient charity, accommodating about 150 patients, who are wholly provided for within the house, and giving medical aid constantly to an average of about 650 out-patients. Outside the entrance door to the Infirmary there are two figures, representing Hope and Charity, which are interesting because they are believed to be the very first effort, literally of the " 'prentice hand," of the great sculptor Chantrey. Within the building there is an excellent bust, by Chantrey, of Dr. Browne, who was mainly instrumental in the original establishment of the instituion. There are also a copy of the bust, by Chantry, of Rev. J Wilkinson, the original of which is in the Parish Church, and a marble bust, by Mr. Edwin Law, of the late Mr Thos. Rawson, of Wardsend, with other portraits and busts of individuals of local celebrity.

PUBLIC HOSPITAL AND DISPENSARY.

This institution is situated in West-street, and the front of the building has a most elegant and tasteful appearance. It is of red and white brick. The institution was originally established as a Dispensary only, in 1832. Subsequently, as the town grew, the want of another infirmary became felt, and in 1857 a project was started for establishing a hospital at the Dispensary, not in competitition with the existing Infirmary, but to provide for wants which that institution could not wholly supply. Mainly through the efforts of Dr. J. C. Hall, sufficient money uas obtained during 1857 and the t- o following years to carry out the undertaking. Accordingly the building was reconstructed so as to provide accommodation for about fifty beds. The dispensary and hospital are now carried on simultaneously at the institution, which has proved to be of great utility in cases of seriousaccident occurring on that side of the town.

HOLLIS' HOSPITAL.

This institution was founded in 1703 by Mr. Thomas Hollis, a merchant residing in London, but a native of Sheffield. He was an earnest Nonconformist. He purchased the first Dissenting meetinghouse in Sheffield, called New Hall, together with the adjoining house, which he converted into dwellings for sixteen poor widows. Though the chapel has disappeared, the almshouses remain, in what is still called Newhall-street. The trust property is yearly,- increasing in value. Besides 7s. per week each paid to sixteen women, stipends are also provided for various Dissenting ministers and schoolmasters in the locality .

DEAKIN INSTITUTION.

This is a very valuable charity, the benefits of which are extending considerably. It was established by Mr. Thomas Deakin, merchant, who, at his death in 1849, bequeathed £3,000 to found an institution for the benefit of unmarried women who need pecuniary help and who believe the doctrine of the Holy Trinity as taught by the Church of England. It was left on condition that another £3,000 should be raised and added to it for the same object. This was accomplished in 1851, and the fund is still increasing year by year. The annuitants now receive £20 per annum each, and they are selected from all parts of England; but they must not be less than forty years of age. The annuitants are elected by those who subscribe to the fund. The funds of this excellent charity now amounts to about £10,700. At present twenty persons are receiving annuities, and two more are to be elected at the annual meeting in October, 186~. The Archbishop of York is president, and Mr. A. Thomas, of Bank-street, solicitor, is honorary secretary.

SHREWSBURY HOSPITAL.

This charity was founded in 1616, by Gilbert Earl of Shrewsbury. The building formerly stood adjoining the Lady's bridge, and subsequently occupied the site of the existing Corn Exchange and Haymarket; but this structure was pulled down in 1827, and the present buildings in the Norfolk-road (opposite the Cholera Monument) were erected. They comprise (with the spacious grounds adjoining) a series of almshouses not to be surpassed in the kingdom, for convenience, comfort, healthfulness, and handsome appearance.
The property belonging to the charity has greatly increased in value, and the recipients of it are very liberally treated. The patronage is vested in the Duke of Norfolk. There are dwellings for twenty men and twenty women. Each of the men receives 10s. a week, and each of the women 8s. a week, besides which there is a periodical allowance of coal and clothing. There are also twenty out-pensioners who receive 6s. a week. There is a chapel and a commodious house for the governor and chaplain, the Rev. J. Stacye, M.A. In the original bequest it was directed that the charity should be for such as had " seen better days, but had been reduced by misfortune."

HANBEY'S AND HADFIELD'S CHARITIES.

The first of these charities arises from property bequeathed by Mr. Thomas Hanbey in 1796. Besides a sum devoted to the maintenance of six boys in the Charity School, there is an income of about £150 a year, which i~ employed for the annual distribution of clothing and money to poor aged housekeepers, who must be respectable members of the Church of England. This charity is under the management of the Cutlers' Company. Emulating the example set by Mr. Hanbey, Mr. Samuel Hadfield, as a Nonconformist, entertained the idea of providing the same benefit for his poor Dissenting brethren that his predecessor had for members of the Church. Mr. Hadfield expressed this determination to his brother, Mr. George Hadfield (one of the present members for the borough). When he died the bulk of his property was left to Mr. George Hadfield; but there was no provision for the fulfilment of his charitable desires. Mr. George Hadfield, however, scrupulously carried out what he knew to be his brother's intentions, and set apart £3,000, the interest of which is annually distributed, after the manner of Hanbey's Charity, to " all classes and denominations excluded from the benefits of Hanbey's Charity by reason of their not being members of the Church of England." The charity is under the control of the Cutlers' Company and the Mayor and aldermen for the time being. There are some other minor bequests distributed among the poor of the town, besides which there are

THE WITHERS' PENSIONS

A charity which has just been established by the late Miss Withers, who in her will bequeathed £10,000 to the founding of a charity in commemoration of her late brother, Benjamin Withers. It is provided that the trustees of the fund are to keep in good repair the monuments in St. Paul's Church of the Withers family, and to divide the annual income in pensions of £10 each among widows or single women in reduced and needy circumstances, members of the Church of England, and of the age of 50 years or upwards. The trustees are to meet annually on the 26th October, the anniversary of the birthday of the late Mr. Withers, in order to elect the pensioners for the ensuing year, those of the past year being eligible for re-appointment.

INSTITUTION FOR THE BLIND.

An institution for the support of blind persons has been originated by Miss Harrison, a lady noted throughout this neighbourhood for her Christian munificence. It is situated in West-street. It is entitled the North of England Institution for the Blind, and is partly self- supporting and partly maintained by subscription. The persons assisted are taught such trades as they can carry on without the use of the eyesight, such as basket and mat-making, &c. The produce of their fingers is purchased from them at a certain rate, and is disposed of at the shop in West-street at fair market prices. About twenty blind persons are maintained in this way.

LICENSED VICTUTLLERS ASYLUM.

This institution, which is in connection with the Sheffield and Rotherham Licensed Victuallers' Protection Society, is intended for the residence and support of members of the society, or their widows, who need such help. It is a neat building situated within view of the Midland Railway, on the way from Masbro' to Sheffield. It is near Grimesthorpe, about three miles from the town. It was commenced in 1848,and was erected at a cost (with land) of £2,487. There are residences occupied by two widowers and five widows; and to each dwelling is attached a plot of garden ground, the whole area comprising 4.5 acres. Each unmarried person receives £15 a year for life, and each married couple (when there are such inmates) £22 a year. It is intended to establish, in connection with this building, a school for the orphan children of licensed victuallers.

This out of copyright material has been transcribed by Eric Youle, who has provided the transcription on condition that any further copying and distribution of the transcription is allowed only for noncommercial purposes, and includes this statement in its entirety.

Any references to, or quotations from, this material should give credit to the original author(s) or editors.

Return to Contents Page.

Last modified on: Saturday, 9 September 2000