It was a delightful paradox for his friends when the name of John Abbott, a severe Halifax bachelor known for his dislike of women, was perpetuated in a private trust establishing a home for “ladies by birth and education”. Abbott died well over a century ago and, despite the amusement invoked at the time John Abbott’s Trustees Ladies’ Home has been a real benefit to dozens of elderly women. The trust was financed from Abbott’s £60,000 estate. Mainly property in New Zealand and Australia. The home consists of two detached bungalows and ten semi-detached house lying in the tranquillity of neat shrubberies and lawns at Skircoat Green. The trust also pays annuities to a number of woman living in their own homes.
In January, 1877, the first occupants moved into 12 houses at Skircoat Green purchased with a porter’s ledge for £17,879. The homes were designed for women who had retained a modest source of income and most of them were able to afford a maid. The three principal qualifications of residence still apply. These are that a “lady” occupier must be a spinster or widow; she must be over 50; and she must be a lady by birth and education. For women in their own homes receiving support from the trust only first stipulation applies. The religion of the applicants is not considered and preference is given to women who were born or who are living in the parish of Halifax or who have spent five years there.