About Us
Leonard Chamberlain Trust Origins
Leonard Chamberlain (1642-1716) was a woollen draper, and had a business in the Market Place in Hull but lived in Selby. For many years he was a dissenting Presbyterian but would eventually become a Unitarian.
In his will of 1716 Chamberlain devised various properties in Hull, Selby, Hessle ,Sutton and Stoneferry to provide weekly pensions to poor people of Hull and Sutton and Stoneferry. Eventually the Trust would use this provision to endow almshouses in Sutton and Selby. In addition, there were some educational and religious provisions included in Chamberlain's will. These covered the same geographical areas as well as parts of the East Riding. It would provide, for example, schoolmasters and funds for the Unitarian chapels in Bowlalley Lane and later Park Street in Hull These provisions would later be modernised to include support for young people in education. The Trust continues broadly to cover the same aspects as Leonard Chamberlain identified in his original will.
Charitable Objects
- The provision of housing accomodation for poor persons of good character resident in the area of benefit.
- To advance the Unitarian and Christian religions in such ways as the trustees think fit (including training of ministers for the Unitarian and Free Christian churches) but in particular to assist the Hull Unitarian Church and other non-conformist churches in the area of benefit.
- Promoting the education of persons under the age of 25 who are in need of financial assistance and are resident in the area of benefit.
- The relief of persons resident in the area of benefit who are in need, hardship or distress.