1867
February
Architects Lockwood and Mawson invited tenders for contracts for the erection of 45 almshouses, a small chapel and a dispensary (subsequently referred to as The Infirmary). [Bradford Observer 28 February]
April
Building plans were approved by Shipley Local Board. [Bradford Observer 9 April]
Read more
1868
September
The almshouses and infirmary, built at a cost of £25,000, were opened on 23 September 1868. [Bradford Observer 23 September]
Read more
1869
March
The 10 year old daughter of Mr Simpson, Fanny Street, Saltaire got up early to light the fire for her mother when her nightdress caught fire and she was immediately enveloped in flames. Her shrieks aroused the family, the flames were extinguished and she was carried to Saltaire Infirmary where she eventually died. [Bradford Observer 21 March]
March
A young women was standing at Saltaire station when her dress was caught by a passing train and she was pulled down and received severe injuries. The young woman, later reported as Mary Leach, was removed to Saltaire Infirmary for treatment. A later report stated that she was attended to by Mr Ellis. [Bradford Observer 26 March]
Hospital treatment
The above cases were the first reports in a newspaper of incidents that resulted in someone being referred to the hospital for treatment. There were many more. Between 1869 and 1899 there were reports of 211 incidents, nearly half of these work related incidents. Of these total incidents over 75% patients survived.
July
Presentation by occupants of almshouses to Titus Salt and Mrs Salt. Titus Salt was given a pair of gold spectacles and a silver mounted staff and Mrs Salt a “very nice book”. [Bradford Observer 31 July]
Read moreHospital staffing
Mr S Rhind – First Consulting Surgeon. Read more – external website
Mr William Henry Ellis joined medical staff . Read more
Ms Sarah Turner – Matron [1871 and 1881 census]

1870
Hospital staffing
Mr Rhind left Saltaire.
Mr Ellis designated Consulting Physician supported by local medical practitioners
1874
June and December
Mr Ellis published a pamphlet on Woolsorters’ Disease –“ A few observations on so-called Sorters’ Disease”. The pamphlet was lauded in the local press. Whilst acknowledging that there were hazards associated with sorting Ellis was of the opinion that any dangers could be mitigated by precautions taken by the woolsorters themselves, chief amongst these being strict temperance. However, his recommendations were contested. A special meeting of the Woolsorters of Bradford was held in the Temperance Hall, Bradford to discuss this paper and its negative implications for Woolsorters. [Bradford Observer 15 June and 21 December]
Read more1876
November
Sir Titus Salt died. The Infirmary and almshouses bequeathed to his widow, Dowager Lady Salt and his son, Titus Salt junior. Endowment of £30,000 provided for “benefit of the sick and the poor of Saltaire and the neighbourhood and power given to Lady Salt and Titus Salt Junior to settle a scheme for its application”. A revised code for the future management of the almshouses was drawn up. [Shipley Times and Express 3 November]
Read more
1879
March
Advert in the Sheffield Independent dated 8 March 1979 for “2 skilled trained Nurses for visiting amongst sick poor. Board and lodging will be found at the Saltaire Infirmary. Particulars as to Salary and application forms to be had of Mr Titus Salt, Saltaire”. [Sheffield Independent 8 March]
1881
December
Samaritan Fund established to raise money to be distributed to exceptionally poor hospital patients on their discharge, to tide them over until they were able to return to work. [Shipley Times and Express 17 December]
Read more1884
July
Hospital ranked third of 94 cottage hospitals with under 20 beds, with a total of 632 outpatients. [Shipley Times and Express 5 July]
Hospital staffing
Mr D’Arcy B Carter appointed as Assistant Surgeon for a 7 year period. Carter had previously been Resident Surgeon at Wakefield General Infirmary and Senior House Surgeon at Leeds General Infirmary.
Miss Gott – Matron.
1887
March
In 1887, to mark the Royal Yorkshire Jubilee Exhibition, Dowager Lady Salt and Titus Salt junior announced they would transfer responsibility for the management and administration of the hospital, almshouses and endowment fund to the Governors of the Salt Schools, effectively transferring responsibility from the private to the public sphere. [Shipley Times and Express 29 March]
Read more
1890
29 March
Alfred Riley (36) painter in the employ of Mr A Marshall, fell from his scaffolding in Hall Lane and fractured his ankle and had to be taken to the hospital. [Shipley Times and Express 29 March]
March
Clara Binns (22) of Birkland Road, was at work at Saltaire Mills when her picking stick struck her in the right eye, tearing the lid very roughly. She is in the hospital. [Shipley Times and Express 29 March]
December - New scheme for provision of medical support to the hospital
In December 1890, to coincide with the end of Mr Carter’s term of office, a new scheme was agreed between the Governors of the Sir Titus Salt’s Charity and the Shipley medical practitioners. The principal change was that instead of a paid surgeon (payment £105 per annum) there would be honorary medical staff consisting of all duly qualified and registered practitioners practising and residing within the townships or Local Board districts of Shipley, Windhill and Baildon. [Shipley Times and Express 27 December]
Read more
1891
Hospital staffing
Mrs Wiseman – Matron
1893
August
Actor Mr Wilfred Selwyn was treated at the Sir Titus Salt’s Hospital having injured his hand with a pistol while performing at Victoria Hall. He subsequently sent a cheque for 3 guineas in appreciation of the treatment he received. [Shipley Times and Express 12 August]
6 October
Mr Lipton W Dawson of Wood Cottage, Baildon bequeathed £4000 to Sir Titus Salt’s Hospital. [Bradford Daily Telegraph]
1894
Hospital staffing
Miss Hey – Matron
1895
February
There were regular reports in the local press on the Governors’ meetings of the The Titus Salt’s Charity. On 2 February 1895 the Shipley Times and Express reported on the Governors’ March 31 1894 year end report.
Cost of the Hopsital: £348 4s 8d (1893 – £386 10s 1 d) [Shipley Times and Express 2 February]
Read moreJune
John Varley, aged 58 years, of Mary Street, Saltaire, was admitted to Sir Titus Salt’s Hospital suffering from a fracture of the thigh sustained while attending to a horse. The animal was capering about in a field and when Varley attempted to get hold of it, the horse struck out with its hind legs and inflicted the injury. [Shipley Times and Express 2 June]
June
William Leach, aged 58 years, of Shirley Street, Saltaire, met with a serious accident when he was bottling some herb beer. Whilst putting a cork in a glass bottle the neck of the bottle broke and the glass penetrated deeply into his wrist, inflicting such injuries that he bled profusely and on being taken to Sir Titus Salt’s Hospital he fainted and his pulse stopped. Artificial respiration was resorted to and animation restored. The bleeding having been stopped by Miss Thompson, the Matron, the patient improved. [Shipley Times and Express 9 June]
Hospital staffing
Miss Thompson – Matron
1898
Hospital staffing
Miss Williamson– Matron
1899
Hospital staffing
Miss Hannah Mitchell appointed Matron. Hannah Mitchell stayed at the hospital until she married in 1914. She was influential in the development of the hospital and in the wider community.
Read Hannah Mitchell’s biography1900+
To be continued...
Research is ongoing on the history of the hospital and the almshouses. More timeline entries will be added as the research progresses.