Genealogy & Family History
Hollis's Hospital and School
Thomas Hollis, the founder of this family was born at Rotherham and baptized there in September, 1634. His father, also Thomas, was a smith by trade, his mother was sister of John Ramscar, a Sheffield cutler. Young Thomas was placed as an apprentice to his uncle.
The preaching of Mr. Fisher, the Vicar of Sheffield and Rev. John Cromwell had a big influence on Thomas. John Ramscar sent him to London and through Hollis and his associates a strong business connection was made between Cutlers in Sheffield and in the Minories in London.
Hollis and his descendants exerted a powerful influence on religion, politics, education and commerce. Thomas Hollis, himself a Baptist, leased Pinner's Hall, London, in 1678 for nonconformist worship for 99 years.
He contributed to the building of the first Dissenting Chapel at Sheffield, and later in 1700 on the building of a larger chapel. In 1703 he purchased the former chapel - New Hall together with an adjoining house which he converted into 16 dwelling houses for widows of cutlers, and others employed in the cutlery manufacturing industry of Sheffield.
In 1701 Hollis married the sister of a benefactor of Harvard College. He died in 1718 and no permanent provision had been made for the inmates of the hospital. He was contented with making them annual presents in money, clothing and fuel. At his death he asked that these should be continued and his survivors continued his wishes.
In 1726, Thomas Hollis, his son bought Whirlow Hall Estate from John Statham and Hollis Street was soon erected. He established two professorships at Harvard College, assisted Baptist ministers in London, and donated books to institutions in Wales and Scotland
In 1732 the charity was further endowed by Thomas Hollis, grandson to the founder, by gift of 2 shares in the River Don Navigation. Since then various members of the Hollis family continued to contribute; in 1773 Thomas Hollis gave by his will £300. By means of these donations out of their annual income, the trustees were able to rebuild the hospital and materially improve the accomodation and grounds for the inmates.
Thomas Hollis (1720-1774), great grandson of the founder of the family, F.R.S., F.A.S., was the noted republican and editor of works by Milton, Locke, Algernon Sidney, Needham, etc.
