Nathaniel Waterhouse was a generous local benefactor.
He was the son of Michael Waterhouse, baptised 11th August 1586.
He was born at The Hollins, Warley and lived at Wood Hall, Skircoat.
His father died when Nathaniel was an infant, and his half-brother Isaac was appointed his guardian.
He was a dealer in salt, oils and dyeing materials.
With several other local landowners, he refused to take a knighthood from Charles I and paid the consequent composition of £13 6/8d.
On 16th November 1607, he married Dorothy Wilson. They had no children, and he left his land and money to the town.
In 1635, he founded the Halifax Workhouse.
His will provided for the establishment of a number of charities, schools and almshouses, including the Blue Coat School for 20 poor children, and an almshouse for 12 poor widows.
In his will, he provided a legacy to Heath Grammar School, and he left a sum of £60 per annum for the curates of 12 chapels in the parish of Halifax, and each minister had to preach a sermon – known as the Waterhouse Sermon – in Halifax Parish Church on the first Wednesday of each month. He left a further sum for the upkeep of roads in the district, including Wakefield Gate – see Watergate, Hipperholme.
In 1652, his widow, Dorothy donated the plain glass Commonwealth Windows to Halifax Parish Church in his memory.
He died on 3rd June 1645.
He was buried at Rokeby Chapel, Halifax Parish Church.
Around 1850, a monument was placed on the North Wall of the Church
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